Wedding Etiquette: The Basics

People these days are thinking, does wedding etiquette still exist in our age
wherein every rule that anybody can think of could be bent? In this rule
defying age, it seems that wedding etiquette is just a thing of the past. But
is wedding etiquette really now just part of history? I don't think so. And
maybe even you and the rest of the population don't think so, too.

Every culture has wedding etiquette. Even if we think those who live in far
flung areas are barbaric and do not know a thing about wedding etiquette, they
have their own sets of rules and etiquette to follow. Their wedding etiquette
may not be as proper as we think ours is, but for them their wedding etiquette
is the proper wedding etiquette.

The wedding etiquette that we have come to know dates back from the 1800, at
the time of the Victorians. Victorians are well educated, intelligent and well
mannered. They value social manners and behavior. This is the reason why lots
of social and wedding etiquette books had been published during the Victorian
era.

The social and wedding etiquette practices of the Victorians has been passed on
to us and became the basic wedding etiquette of the westerners. These Victorian
wedding etiquette has been modified or bent to suit our current culture and
lifestyle.

What are the basics of wedding etiquette? Should we follow every rule in Emily
Post's famous wedding etiquette book?

Wedding Etiquette Basics

In every all aspect of the wedding there is a wedding etiquette that should be
followed. There's a wedding etiquette to follow when creating an invitation,
sending it out, and replying to it; in attending a wedding, guests should abide
to the basic wedding etiquette for guests; when sending out gifts there's a
wedding etiquette too that must be followed.

Here are some of basic wedding etiquette for the wedding parties and the guests:

For the bride and groom:

- Wedding invitations must be worded either formal or informal. It depends upon
the couple. If they want a formal wedding celebration, they must choose formal
words. If the wedding will be celebrated with closest family and friends, an
informal wording on the invitation would do.

Invitations should be sent out four to six weeks before the wedding. If your
wedding is a wedding destination, you may send a Save a Date card to your
guests six to eight months before the wedding. Your guest also need to prepare
themselves financially and physically for your wedding destination.

- A bride can now choose any dress design and color that she wants. But if she
will be wed in a church with strict rules on dress code, she should abide to
the rules of her church.

- A groom may wear either a suit or black tie. He could also wear a loose dress
in beige pants for a beach wedding.

- The couples should not ask for cash gifts. As for wedding registry card, they
should not insert it invitation. Just mention in your invitation that you have
an online wedding registry.

- The stepmother may seat at the church's first pew only if the bride (if the
bride is her stepdaughter) is closer to her than her mother. However, if the
bride is close to both her mother and stepmother, she should seat her mother at
the first pew.

For the guests:

- Invited guests should reply to a wedding invitation immediately after receipt
of the invitation card or not later than two weeks before the wedding. Couples
need to be informed of the actual head count for the sit down dinner.

- Guests should be formally dressed if the invitation is worded formally even
if there is no indication that the attire should be formal. Women are now
allowed to wear evening dress for a formal wedding especially if their escorts
are in black tie.

- Guests are not obliged to buy gifts from the registry. Invited guests who
can't make it to the wedding are also not obliged to send gifts.

Gifts may be sent to the couple before or one year after the wedding. It will
help the newlywed alot if the gifts will be delivered at the couples new
address.

Wedding Etiquette for Brides

Whether we admit it or don't Wedding Etiquette is still an important issue to
many of us. Don't you hear yourself complaining for some weddings that you have
attended? Maybe you have heard some friends who have attended a wedding ceremony
and learning after the rites that he or she was not invited for the wedding
reception.

Although it is acceptable and is within the Wedding Etiquette standard to
invite some guests only at the wedding reception and some only at the wedding
reception, the guests should be informed of this fact before hand. These
instances want us to shout: Learn some manners!

For brides out there who are getting married next year, it will be for your own
good if you would buy Emily Post's book on Wedding Etiquette. It will teach you
the Wedding Etiquette basics and Wedding Etiquette blunders. Knowing what
violates and follows Wedding Etiquette will help you go through your big day,
hassle and stress free.

-- Basic Wedding Etiquette for Brides

On what to wear.

Modern Wedding Etiquette allows brides to wear any design that she want in any
color. Brides are not anymore limited to wearing ultra white wedding dress with
sleeves. They may wear a tube, halter or spaghetti strapped wedding dress in
creme, beige or pastel colors.

But for the sake of Wedding Etiquette, she should also consider her cultural
background and her church's dress requirement. If your church requires you to
wear a shawl over a tube wedding dress, then you must do so.

If the minister or priest thinks that your red wedding dress is unappropriate
for the church and ask you to replace your $10,000 designer wedding dress for a
white wedding dress, then you should take it off and buy a white ready-to-wear
wedding gown at Macy's.

On who to invite.

It is a basic Wedding Etiquette for a bride to talk to her groom on who and who
are not to invite. Remember that the is the two of you who will get married, not
only you. It will be a violation of Wedding Etiquette if you will invite persons
your groom do not want to get invited or do not want to see, such as your old
flame or his old boss that he had an argument eventhough you are in speaking
terms with his old boss. It is not just about Wedding Etiquette, it is in fact
about the issue of respect.

If it is your second marriage, you should not invite your ex-spouse or your
ex-parents-in-law. Even if you are in good terms with your ex, Wedding
Etiquette dictates that you should not invite them. This is to avoid unnessary
confrontations or wedding drama. Your guest will also feel uncomfortable around
your ex.

But there is an exception to this Wedding Etiquette. If your children to your
ex-spouse has requested for the presence of their father, then you should talk
about it with your groom. If he agrees, then invite your ex to your wedding.
But there is an alternative to this, however.

You can invite your guest for a dinner at your home after your wedding or
honeymoon. This private dinner is more quiet and will save you the trouble of
explaining to your father and mother and other close guests why your ex-husband
is in your wedding.

On gift giving and registry.

It is a big Wedding Etiquette no-no to ask for cash gifts from your guests.
Although it is a reality that newlyweds need cash as a startup money since they
need to rent a bigger place or buy new appliances that the two of them needs,
you don't want to look like a greedy bride for asking for some cash.

Let them decide what to give. If they have decided to give you cash, then say
your thanks. But don't ever ask them to fund a mortgage or fund a charity that
you will establish as a wedding gift.

Registry card is acceptable although modern Wedding Etiquette objects to
insertion of the registry card in the invitation. Wedding Etiquette specialists
say that brides should put up an online registry card and inform your guests
through your invitation that you have an online registry and they may want to
look it up in case they would decide to buy you gifts from your registry.

The Shower And Stag Wedding Etiquette

Being the maid of honor and the best man have a number of wedding etiquette
duties. This includes the church responsibilities of handling the train, making
sure that everyone is in their place and hosting the reception program.

One of the important duties for any maid of honor and best man is to arrange
for the bridal shower and stag party. Wedding etiquette for showers or stags
can be done separately or together. It is a traditional wedding etiquette for
the bridesmaids to have their own celebration as well as the groomsmen for
their stag party.

For the bridal shower:

Women have more finesse when it comes to bridal shower parties. The wedding
etiquette for such events may require the maid of honor to come up with
original ideas for the shower. The first thing to consider is the format. The
wedding etiquette for formats can be from the formal (a dinner) or informal
(strip club party).

Aside from that, there are other alternatives like going to the spa, spending a
party at the circus or whatever the maid of honor thinks that the bride will
appreciate. A bridal shower is thrown in honor of the bride and her friendship
with the girls. Wedding etiquette only calls for all the bridesmaid's help in
organizing it and making it memorable.

A proper bridal shower observes the wedding etiquette of a program. A simple
one will do. Depending on the theme, the program starts off with an
introduction of the bride's friends, a round of games for everyone, the gift
giving (if any) and then dinner.

Gifts for the bridal shower are optional but are a great wedding etiquette to
follow. The bride's friends can chip in for one extravagant gift or each of
them can bring a piece for the bride. The wedding etiquette gift for bridal
showers can be as tame as matching monogrammed towels to something naughty like
lingerie.

The wedding etiquette for games is to celebrate it as a fun reminder of the
bride's single days or something about her current relationship. It is
acceptable to have games purely for fun. But what the maid of honor has to
remember is the shower giveaways.

Already considered as an art form, the giveaways or gift bags are a wedding
etiquette must have. The bags should contain a souvenir (any object of choice
chosen by the maid of honor), a thank you card for making the event and maybe a
picture of the couple for remembrance. Yes it sounds corny but it is about the
bride and groom.

Another wedding etiquette to remember is the timing of the bridal shower. An
event like this should be celebrated weeks before the wedding date. This will
allow the bride enough time to relax and truly enjoy the shower. And should she
get drunk then, there is a lot of time to recover from the hang over.

For the best man:

A stag party is usually celebrated weeks before the wedding celebration. It is
bad wedding etiquette to hold it the day before the ceremony. Things can go
wrong what that happens. Imagine the groom arriving with a big headache.

All the stag party is concerned is the budget of the event. If the best man can
get as much funding from the other groomsmen, the event can go well underway.
Most wedding etiquette for a stag party is not followed but the concept is
there.

Hosting is a wedding etiquette that the best man has to perform. Unlike the
bridal shower, this process is very informal. The hosting job may only go as
far as introducing the other groomsmen and then inviting in the strippers.

The wedding etiquette of providing food and drinks still apply though. If the
stag party is held at the hotel, room service can be ordered up to their room.
If they decide to celebrate in a bar, the menu is easily available to them.

The groomsmen can get as frisky as they want with the hired strippers but as a
wedding etiquette rule, the groom should have self-control. The saying "Look
but don't touch" applies. Or if it is unavoidable, "Touch but don't squeeze"
will do.

Stag parties are different from bridal showers because men view this as their
last hurrah. The most important wedding etiquette rule or both parties is to
never ask what transpired that night. It will only open up suspiciousness and
could cancel a wedding. Brides, just be glad that your man made it to the
altar. By him showing up there and meeting you means that nothing further
happened.

Wedding Etiquette For Cancelled Weddings

The worst nightmare of any couple is the cancelled wedding. Despite months of
preparation, things can still go wrong even at the moment of saying "I do."
From a cheating partner to having the extreme case of cold feet, one must
remember to maintain wedding etiquette throughout the entire ordeal.

Depending on the seriousness of a cancelled wedding, one can still turn a
failed occasion into a positive one. An obvious wedding etiquette procedure is
to inform the family and guests that there will be no wedding celebration. If
the wedding is cancelled a few days before the actual ceremony, sending cards
to family and friends announcing the broken engagement is a suitable wedding
etiquette.

All arrangements made for the wedding date itself should be cancelled. Some
companies will ask for payment, an amount that could be equal to the
preparations taken by the supplier. It is a wedding etiquette to handle all
this with grace and finesse.

However, if the cancellation happens on the wedding date itself, the
announcement must be made verbally and as soon as possible to avoid public
humiliation. The family should use the wedding etiquette of comforting the one
left at the altar and make it a point to shield him or her from other people
since this is a sad situation.

Gift wedding etiquette should be followed. This means all the wedding gift
items will be returned, including cash, appliances or properties. It will be
hard to do but at least the aggrieved party will not be accused of impoliteness.

When calling off a wedding, it really is a proper wedding etiquette to do it
months before the wedding date. That is what pre-marriage counseling is for.
The wedding etiquette dictates that all couples should take marriage seminars
to make sure that they are prepared emotionally and mentally for the huge
responsibility ahead.

A broken engagement is embarrassing as it is but as a wedding etiquette, you
have the freedom not to question the couple why they decided not to continue
with the wedding. And being the couple, you also have the right not to tell
anyone until you feel you are ready.

Not all broken engagements happen because of a lonely partner. When a
relative's death occurs, it is proper wedding etiquette to cancel the wedding.
This shows wedding etiquette in respect to the deceased's family and expresses
sincere sorrow.

Proper wedding etiquette is to allow six months to pass before attempting to
walk down the aisle again. And even if the couple decides to wed two to three
months after the death in the family, one must be ready to simplify the
ceremony to observe wedding etiquette.

Engagements broken by family members also happen. If this occurs, try to
resolve the matter as discretely a possible. Wedding etiquette dictates that
only the couple can decide on canceling the weeding or postponing it to a later
date.

When a partner is left cold on the altar:

Things can become worse but you can also turn it into a positive one. If the
wedding reception has been paid for, the person who paid for it can use the
reception and continue on with the party for the guests' benefit. Wedding
etiquette may not require the aggravated person to attend but it is a better
way to forget the embarrassment.

When the cancelled wedding occurs out of town, it is an important wedding
etiquette to have a clear head and sort out the pre-made plans of the wedding.
Things like the honeymoon trip and the hotel accommodations must be taken cared
of. If the aggrieved party has paid for the trip, he or she can choose to take
it as a getaway and period of reflection.

Bouncing back from the broken engagement:

The first few weeks are the toughest to face. Be prepared to here the question
"Why?" and "What happened?" a lot. Wedding etiquette dictates that you have to
face these people with a smile and offer as little detail as possible.

As attractive as the sound of revenge is, you must try to keep an open mind and
be as civil about everything a possible. Remember that this person once had an
important part of your life and part of a wedding etiquette is to respect their
decision.

Wedding Etiquette Advice for Guests

More often than not, it is the guests that we oftentimes hear complain about
the outcome of the wedding, that the bride and groom violated wedding
etiquette, and so on and so fort.

Guests seem to be forgetting that wedding etiquette is not just for the bride
and groom. There is wedding etiquette too reserved for the guests.

We have outlined here some wedding etiquette advice for guests. These wedding
etiquette advice are taken from different sources and may help you understand
how to act and socialize with grace and manners in any wedding.

Wedding Etiquette Advice 1: Thou shalt respond to an invitation, immediately!

Invited guests who do not respond to an invitation are the major cause of
headaches to the bride and groom. There are guest who will say regrets to the
bride and groom just a day before the wedding day. While some guests will not
reply to the invitation at all and then show up without notice to the wedding
ceremony and wedding reception.

Wedding Etiquette Advice #1 says this act is totally rude! Today, the bride and
groom pay for their own wedding. They rely on their savings and salary to fund
their wedding. They are not asking their fathers anymore to host their big day.

So, with the limited budget that the couples have allotted for their wedding
(of course they need to save some as a startup money). The couples need to know
the exact head count so they would know if they will go over their budget. And
failure of guests to reply to an RSVP will give the bride and groom headaches.
They would not know how many guests should they book in the hotel or caterer.
And also, if you aware of this fact, if the bride and groom add you to the
guest list and they inlist you for a sit-down dinner, they will pay for your
head even though you did not attend the wedding.

Please follow this wedding etiquette advice if you don't want to be called an
unmannered brute. Reply to an invitation immediately if you must, or at least
two week before the wedding day.

We, guests, expect the bride and groom to practice wedding attique, and so
should we.

Wedding Etiquette Advice 2: Thou shalt be dress appropriately.

This wedding etiquette advice is not meant to promote fashion, although being
fashionable is really good. This wedding etiquette advice came next to the
wedding etiquette advice on responding immediately to an invitation. Because
after you respond to an invitation, the next thing you will do is either buy a
gift (if you still have some spare money to buy your bride friend a gift) or
attend the wedding (if you do not have the money to buy a gift, you can skip
the gift giving).

This wedding etiquette advice is for your own good. You would not want to look
like a gate crasher in your friends wedding, or do you? If it is a formal
wedding, you would not want to be caught wearing a jeans and t-shirt, right?
You would definitely look like a gate crasher if you are not dressed properly.

The wedding etiquette advice if the event is informal: please refrain from
wearing jeans and tank top or t-shirt. For women, kindly wear a cocktail dress
or a pretty Sunday dress. For men, please, if you may, wear your suit. Just
forgo your tie. You can even roll up your sleeves and open the top button of
your shirt to make it look less forma. You would definitely look dashing in a
suit!

Wedding Etiquette Advice 3: Thou shalt greet the newlyweds.

Brides and grooms want to feel you are happy for them and your greetings will
greatly be appreciated. This wedding etiquette advice is not hard, isn't it?
All you have to do is go to the bride and groom and greet the bride, "Best
Wishes" while the groom "Congratulations."

Saying your greetings is not only a thumbs-up act, it is also a kind one.

Second Wedding, Do It Right This Time...

Tradition and etiquette dictates that second weddings should be simple and
casual instead of being formal and extravagant. However, the number of second
or encore wedding is sharply growing each year. Such ceremony is designed to
celebrate two people who want to embark on a new marriage with different
partners.

Etiquette In Announcing Your Engagement

The immediate concern in planning a second wedding is how to announce this to
you children. The children should always be the first be notified of your
decision to remarry, as this will combine two already-established families.
Expect you children to be stressed by your move and they will need a certain
amount of time to accept the situation.

The bride and groom's parents should be the next to be informed and then the
respective ex's. The ex-wife or ex-husband should make an effort to appease the
children and reassure them about their roles in the new family.

Engagement rings from the past should not be worn anymore based on second
wedding etiquette. All signs of previous relationships should be taken away
once planning for the wedding and announcements are made.

A second marriage can be announced informally such as advertising it in the
newspaper, making e-mails and phone calls. Under second wedding etiquette, the
couple does not have to host an engagement party but a small gathering can be
organized where you can make that important announcement.

Who's Going?

Just about anybody can attend your second wedding. However, in observance of
second wedding etiquette ex-spouses and former in-laws should not be invited
even if you are in speaking terms to avoid awkwardness among the other guests.

The bride and groom should calculate a realistic budget for the wedding. This
is a rare chance to again have the wedding of your dreams, it could be elegant,
extravagant and intimate.

Vows and Ceremonies

Second wedding are normally made in civil ceremonies but can also be done in a
religious ceremony. They are many ways to make the ceremony fell very intimate
and special. Writing vows is common among second wedding and there is an
abundance of books written about it. The children can be assigned to do an
important part of the ceremony in order to foster unity. They can escort you
while walking the aisle, read passages from the bible or serve as attendants in
the event.

The closest family members and friends of the new couple can walk down the
aisle or no one at all.

Are Bridal Showers Needed? Bridal showers for encore brides are normally but
this need to adhere with second etiquette rules.

- Only guests should be invited - Club, Office and school showers can also be
done and can be attende by other not on the official guest list. However, those
that attended the bride's first wedding should not participate.

Wedding Gifts and Registry

Guest should make they register. Some guests will have the uncontrollable urge
to give something even if the couple does not want gifts. It's also acceptable
for encore couples to sign in the gift registry.

- Wedding Gift Ideas for Second Marriages 
- Gift certificates -- restaurants, spas, stores 
- DVD player and DVDs 
- Charity Donatios 
- Coffee maker, pasta maker, cook books

Wedding Receptions and Parties

The reception of a second wedding may be extravagant or simple depending on the
taste of the couple. The bride and gross will be first at the line and followed
by their children. The traditional garter and bridal bouquet toss are optional.

Not Necessary In A Second Marriage

- Rehearsal Dinner 
- Attendants 
- Accompanying the bride down the aisle 
- Procession

Advisable 

- Make a gift registry even if you don't want gifts. 
- The children should have responsibilities in the ceremony. 
- Customize and personalize the wedding and reception.

Please Avoid 

- Doing the same things in like your first wedding. 
- Wearing a similar wedding dress. 
- Marry in the exact spot of your first wedding. 
- Use old rings from a past marriage. 
- Criticizing former spouses

Optional

- Showers 
- Engagement Party 
- Announcement in the newspaper 
- Rehearsal Dinner
- A laving wedding with attendants 
- Parents walking down the aisle 
- A different color for the wedding dress instead of white

The Rules For Second Wedding Etiquette

There are instances of second weddings and for these times, second wedding
etiquette will asked to be observed by the couple. It entirely depends on whose
experience is complicated by matters of the former wedding.

Before the wedding:

It is a second wedding etiquette to acknowledge the former wife or husband. If
the relationship is amiable, announcing the engagement is best done over
dinner. Second wedding etiquette requires a courtesy to be extended to the
former legal partner.

If the previous relationship is not so good, the future bride or groom should
inform them of their intentions through the telephone. Some second wedding
etiquette can also be extended to the former partner's family, if they are very
close.

If the couple has children to think about, it is second wedding etiquette to
inform them of their decision. Regardless of their children's protests, this
should not be skipped or done at the last minute. Children have a longer time
to adjust and accept certain realities. One of them is the thought of having a
new mom or dad.

Therefore, a second wedding etiquette requires mom and dad to make their
engagement known to the children first. If the relationship is good between the
kids and the new mom or dad, they will respect their parent's wishes and support
their union.

The wedding details:

Having gone through the entire wedding process before, this will be easier to
handle the second time around. The couple should remember the second wedding
etiquette of holding a smaller event and inviting only their close friends and
family. It is rude to ask for the former partner to attend but if there is no
problem, they can do so.

The couple can discuss second wedding etiquette regarding the budget for the
wedding. It is normal that expenses are shared. The question of who will pay
for what can be decided among the bride and groom privately.

For most second weddings, a lot of them prefer to celebrate out of town.
Perhaps because of their higher disposable income, they now have the luxury to
have the wedding in a foreign place. Second wedding etiquette is much the same
as the first wedding which considers the guests and who can afford to travel
that far, like Hawaii, for the event.

The wedding location and reception:

As a rule, second wedding etiquette requires the bride and groom to not
celebrate their marriage in a place reminiscent of the past relationships.
Second weddings are sensitive occasions for both parties since there is an
unspoken expectation from the partner regarding the first marriage.

Choosing the theme, the wedding location and where the reception will be held
is a matter for both parties to discuss. The locations should be accessible to
the family and guests.

Regarding the color of the dress, it is all right for the bride to wear a white
wedding gown. The groom and groomsmen can wear a tuxedo. For a second wedding
etiquette, you can still pretty much follow the traditional color palette.

The couple as a second wedding etiquette should also provide for the
transportation of everyone. It is allowed to ask beforehand who will bring a
car so that the number of rented automobiles can be estimated. Doing so will
save the couple money and time.

Second wedding as a family affair:

Not all second weddings are about building new families. The second wedding
etiquette can be used to celebrate a renewal of vows to each other. This is
usually done to mark a marriage's longevity like the 25th year or the 50th year
anniversary.

Weddings like this are more private and solemn than the first wedding and
perhaps more joyous. Reaffirming one's vow made to their wife or husband is
such a beautiful thing. The second wedding etiquette for the couple is to
invite their closest friends and family to the event and keep it as simple as
possible.

For guests:

It is proper second wedding etiquette to bring a gift for the couple. Though
using a bridal registry is optional, second wedding gifts are often those that
the couple can appreciate and use. Money is still accepted and the second
wedding etiquette of handing the envelopes to the family members is still
practiced.

The rules for second wedding etiquette are not at all hard to follow. All the
couple has to do is be considerate of the other's feelings and decisions in
whatever part of the wedding. And as a second wedding etiquette rule, the
honeymoon should be as sweet, if not sweeter, than the first wedding.

Second Wedding Etiquette

Just a decade ago, there is this popular thought in the way second wedding
should be celebrated. People say that couples should not be extravagant and
formal in celebrating their second wedding, most especially if the bride or the
groom was divorced from his or her first spouse. Second wedding should be
celebrated quietly, in a smaller and intimate party.

Nowadays, however, this is thought does not hold true to many of us. Couples
who will celebrate their Second Wedding should not hide their emotions and love
for each other. They could celebrate their Second Wedding in any way they want
it to be celebrated. Be it an intimate or quiet one or extravagant and formal
the way they have celebrated their first wedding.

Don't think what other people would say about you being too extravagant for a
Second Wedding. If you and your groom have the budget to finance a feast
wedding, then do as you please! It is not everyday that you will find a person
who would make your heart beat the second time. And finding the real Mr. Right
for you (which you failed to find from your first spouse) is enough a reason to
host a feast.

But do you know that Second Wedding also has its list of Etiquette? So, if you
want to avoid seeing raised eyebrows on your wedding day, try to know some
basic Second Wedding Etiquette and avoid committing Second Wedding Etiquette
blunders.

-- Second Wedding Etiquette: How to Announce Your Engagement

If you have children from your first marriage, getting married for the second
time will be a bit hard for them. So, even before you announce your Second
Wedding to people that you know, take the time to sit down and talk to your
children first about your plans to remarry. This is the most important Second
Wedding Etiquette that you must remember. If you failed to tell your kids in
advance about your plans of remarrying, you are taking your second marriage in
an uneven road even before you, your second husband, his kids and your kids
live in one roof.

Second Wedding Etiquette requires you tell your parents of your engagement
before you inform your ex-spouse. If you don't have any children with your
ex-spouse, you would not violate second wedding etiquette if you won't inform
you ex-spouse about your engagement.

-- Second Wedding Etiquette: Wedding Dress Issue

Lilac or lavender is the color of wedding dress for widow brides who are
getting married for the second time. But this Second Wedding Etiquette is not
obligatory; widow brides may wear any color of wedding dress that they wish to
wear.

This fact holds true to divorced brides who will be having her second wedding.
Divorced brides can wear white wedding gown. But it would be best if they would
leave out the veil and tiara. A flower headress would be the best alternative.

-- Second Wedding Etiquette: Should You Invite Your Ex?

When planning for your second wedding, you should list the people who you would
like to invite. Your groom should have his own list too. Then you and the groom
should sit down to talk about who should and should not be on the list of
guests. This is the proper Etiquette for Second Wedding.

For Second Wedding Etiquette, it is advised that former in-laws and ex-spouses
should not be written on the guest list even if you are on good terms with
them. Your guests may feel a bit awkward around them.

Even if your groom agrees on the idea of inviting your ex-in-laws and ex-spouse
(just to show that he hasn't any bad blood for his ex), you should not agree
into it. You won't know what would happen if the former and current in-laws and
spouses meet. It's better to be safe than sorry. The proper Second Wedding
Etiquette for this scenario is to invite your ex-spouse instead for a dinner
after the wedding and honeymoon.

How To Write The Wedding Etiquette Wording

During the entire course of the wedding, there are several instances that
require wedding etiquette wording. What is wedding etiquette wording? It is a
collection for phrases or paragraphs meant for the couple's union.

The wedding etiquette wording follows certain rules to make it as effective and
elegant as possible. Traditionally, the bride handles all the wedding details,
including the wedding etiquette wording for the groom. But thankfully, now
there are some things that can be handed over to other people like the wedding
planner, a member of the family or even the clergy.

The announcement:

The engagement can be announced to both families in an intimate gathering.
However, the law requires that the union be posted in an ad as public
announcement of their nuptial. The wedding etiquette wording for this can be
kept to a minimum.

The details include, the name of the couple and their parents, the date and
location of the wedding and the reception information. More elegant
announcements can run a full-page story about the couple's history but members
of the elite society mostly do this wedding etiquette wording.

The invitation:

After establishing your guest list, it is time to send out the invitations. The
wedding etiquette wording is very important and must be written while
considering the marital status of the couple's parents and the couple
themselves.

As more and more people get divorced, the wedding etiquette wording has evolved
to accommodate the changes. If all the parents are divorced, the invitation
should include all parents' names, with the bride's parents first. The mothers
should be written down before names of their ex-husbands.

It is important to note that wedding etiquette wording dictates that the
invitation contains the following: name of the couple, their parents, the date
and location of the wedding, wedding attire requirements, the map to the
wedding and reception area, the bridal registry information and other details
such as a wedding website of the couple.

As a matter of wedding etiquette wording, all the wedding invitations must come
from the bride's side, even for the friends of the groom. They should be sent
out six weeks before the wedding day. Guests from out of town should be
considered and have their invitations a lot earlier than the rest so they can
prepare for the event.

The wedding vows:

Traditionally, wedding vows are spoken to each other as dictated by the clergy.
However some couples prefer to make theirs special by making personalize d vows.
The couple themselves should write the wedding etiquette wording for vows.
Quoting a poem or a song is acceptable as long as it is the person's sincere
words.

The toast:

Prior to the wedding reception, the family should be aware of the program. At
this stage, the host should have informed the concerned parties of the wedding
etiquette wording speeches they will make. It helps to write down what one has
to say to avoid stammering. The parents or a very close family member from each
side of the family does the wedding etiquette wording for the speech.

Another speech requiring a wedding etiquette wording is the best man and maid
of honor. Usually expressing their long friendship and wishes for their
friends, the wedding etiquette wording for these speeches is short but
meaningful.

The thanksgiving:

Another speech that needs wedding etiquette wording is the one given by the
couple at the end of the program. The couple makes an expression of gratitude
to the bride and groom's families, guests and everyone behind the wedding
event. Although the wedding etiquette wording may be spontaneous than the
previous speeches, it is nonetheless sincere and appropriate.

The Thank you card:

A week after the wedding it is customary to send out thank you cards to the 
guests, those who gave a gift and the people who organized the wedding event 
(including the wedding planner, the musicians, the floral arranger, etc). A 
simple wedding etiquette wording would be a thank you note or a poem signed by 
the newlyweds.

This type of wedding etiquette wording job is often left to the bride's family
including those guests from the groom's side. This is written on a plain white
card. Whether the couple uses a standard thank you card or print a personalized
one, the wedding etiquette wording should always be sincere, nice and
unforgettable.

Wedding Etiquette: Who Pays for the Wedding?

Getting married these days is very costly. For brides, before you buy from
suppliers of your choice or hire the most costly services of makeup artists,
wedding coordinators, coutourier, etc, talk to your husband-to-be first and
discuss your budget.

Before you go bridezilla by demanding this and that for your wedding, determine
who pays for your wedding and will cover the largest percentage of your wedding
budget.

Below are the wedding etiquette on who pays or should pay for your wedding.
This will serve as a guide for couples who would like to know the basic
etiquette in who pays for what.

-- Traditional Wedding Etiquette: Who Pays For the Wedding?

Wedding Etiquette on who pays for the weddings has evolved for the last
century. Traditionally, wedding etiquette books dictate that the bride's father
should pay for the wedding. This was during the time when girls were kept by
their fathers inside their house, not allowed to work and go to school, but do
household chose and must have lessons from lady manners to teach them social
etiquette and wedding etiquette in preparation for their life as married women.

A daughter was 'given' out by her father to a boy or a man who his father
thought could feed or fend his daughter when he was gone. And since he would be
giving his daughter away, he would host his daughter's wedding and pay for
everything as a sign of his agreement to his daughter's marriage. This is the
traditional wedding etiquette on who pays for the wedding.

-- Modern Wedding Etiquette: Who Pays For the Wedding

Today, wedding etiquette on who pays for the wedding is not as rigid as it was
before. The bride and the groom can go traditional, and thus should ask the
father of the bride to host the wedding and pay for the entire wedding
expenses. Or if the parents of the groom have expressed their desire to be a
co-host of the wedding event, they may do so, especially if the parents of the
groom are wealthy and are able to cover some of the expenses.

But since most couples nowadays are both earning their own money, it is not a
violation of wedding etiquette if the bride and the groom decide to pay for
their own wedding. Some couples prefer to pay for the their own wedding so that
they can have more control over the number of guests and who are the persons to
invite and how the celebration of the wedding should be held.

Wedding etiquette on who pays for the wedding is, most of the time, being set
aside to grant the wishes of the couple and immediate family members.

-- Alternative Ways of Paying: Wedding Etiquette

Because of the high cost of living these days, paying for the entire cost of
the wedding may be beyond the means of the parents of the bride or even of the
parents of the groom. If the bride and the groom are earning money for
themselves, they may consider paying for the entire expenses fo their wedding.

However, there may be parents who would like to contribute to the wedding cost.
Brides and grooms should be sensitive with this matter. Don't say no to your
parents even if you think they will hand to you everything that they have. It
is their joy to see you get married and their pleasure to play a big part of
your wedding (that is by shelling out money for the wedding cost).

It is more reasonable if you will sit down with your parents and discuss with
them the projected costs of your wedding and ask them which part of the wedding
expenses would they comfortably want to fund. This way, your parents will have
an idea of the exact amount that they will shell out while the two of you,
bride and groom, will know how much is it that you still need to raise.

Wedding etiquette on who pays for what is not anymore big question these days.
The only etiquette that is required of bride and groom is to talk out with
their parents the issue of costs or who pays only if the parents have voiced
desire to co-host the wedding affair.

Wedding Etiquette for the Groom's Parents

Weddings are wonderful experiences of two lovers who want to signify their
commitment to bond, intentionally, for the rest of their lives. In Western
countries, wedding ceremonies are symbolic and overwhelmingly romantic, making
the event really expensive, as well.

Weddings are lifetime dreams of every woman. Some men also dream of being
involved in one, though, the extent and magnitude is not that great compared to
girls' longing for it.

Because weddings are ceremonies that have evolved through the years to emerge
as formal occasions, a lot of symbolic gestures and actions are required from
the participants. From the bride to the groom, to the maid of honor and best
man, Western culture has come up with universal wedding etiquette for every
person in every wedding.

This article will inform and acquaint you to the minimal responsibilities given
to the groom's parents in every wedding. You will be surprised that the role of
the groom's parents are nothing much and intense compared to the role provided
to other participants in the wedding.

Role of the Groom's Parents

The groom's parents are often fall at a loss when asked about the role they
will be playing in the wedding of their beloved son. In movies and in real
life, it is always assumed that parents of the bride get more emotional during
weddings.

The assumption is true and is a well-accepted fact. However, the groom's
parents should not be seen as parents who should not be shedding tears during
weddings. Of course, they should also. It is because they are also sending
their beloved offspring or son away.

The groom's parents will surely not be familiar of their role in their son's
wedding, especially if they had not participated previously in a wedding for a
daughter, another son or other siblings. Here are some points and tips for the
groom's parents who wish to accomplish their role in the wedding well and with
flying colors:

*  The first wedding etiquette to be followed by the groom's parents is to
initiate contact and communication with the bride's family. Introducing
themselves to the bride's parents is the groom's parents' first and utmost
responsibility. It would be a really, really great gesture to start up good
relations between the two families.

*  It is a role of the groom's parents, as written in wedding etiquettes, to
host and pay for the wedding rehearsal dinner. The event should not necessarily
be expensive. Simple salad potlucks or simple dinners can do. The groom's
parents should also not hold back if they want to impress the bride's family by
throwing out elaborate or exotic dinners in the finest restaurants.

*  To get along with customary wedding etiquettes, the groom's parents can also
participate in the planning stage of the wedding. However, the role is almost
always limited to just providing timely, appropriate and accurate guest list.
The groom's family and relatives should not be overlooked at this very
important event.

Wedding etiquette for groom's parents during the wedding

The father of the groom's responsibilities during weddings are often
overlooked. It is because they are just always tasked to escorting the mother
of the groom, and that role is still conditional if they are in good
relations---that is, they are not divorced.

The groom's mother can be busier. Women are very particular to dresses and that
is where the groom's mom should first strike.

The groom's mom should leave the role of dealing for the bride's dress to the
bride's mom. She should also not mind the dresses for the maid of honor or
bridesmaids. The groom's mom should only compliment the gowns to be worn by the
bride's mom and bridesmaids, not overdo or outdo them.

The groom's parents are expected to follow customs and traditions during
wedding ceremonies. They will be led by ushers as where they should be seated
in the wedding venue.

Other important roles for the groom's parents

It can be funny, but in the Western or modern culture, the groom's parents are
mainly involved just in funding or shouldering wedding-related bills.

Among the other things the groom's parents should pay for are the bride's
wedding ring, the clergy fees in the church, transportation expenses of groom's
men, gifts or tokens for groom's men as well as lodging costs if necessary, gift
for the bride and the bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages.

Wedding ceremonies are just that---ceremonies. The marriage will not
principally depend on the wedding, but a good one will make a good start for
the couple. The groom's parents should be as supportive as ever for their
beloved son is embarking on a new life.

The Top Responsibilities of the Maid of Honor

Modern weddings are full of symbolic rituals and a number of key players are
assigned particular assignments or titles for the wedding.

Basically, the principal players in every wedding are the bride and the groom.
They are the ones who assign people to other players or symbolic titles.

The groom's best friend and best buddy is named the best man. His counter part,
the bride's reliable maiden friend, is the maid of honor.

Why maid of honor? Because in the old wedding traditions, brides are expected
to be virgins. The old and conservative world had it that virginity equals
honor. Thus, maid of honors are people who help the bride retain the big V,
which in the old times should be given as a primary gift to the husband.

Responsibilities given to the maid of honor

All little girls dream to brides someday. Some want to be maid of honor first
before finally hitting it big to be brides.

Being maid of honor can be a fashionable experience. However, there are some
responsibilities or expectations from her. The following list will enumerate 17
of the most common duties the maid of honor should hold accountable to during
weddings.

1. You should help the bride address and distribute all wedding invitations to
guests. Sometimes, maid of honors are also required to attend wedding
announcements. 

2. In adherence to traditional wedding etiquettes, maid of honors must try to 
attend to all the prenuptial parties. Of course, she should not be there during 
stag parties, unless she has totally gone nuts. 

3. If possible, it would be sweet if the maid of honor organize a couple's 
shower for the soon-to-be bride and groom. 

4. Wedding etiquettes have it that the bride should be assisted by the maid of 
honor when going away to buy the wedding dress. 

5. As a sign of good breeding and professionalism, maid of honors are
expected to come on time during fitting appointments and rehearsals and any
other dates assigned by the bride.

6. Deal with florists for the supply of rose petals that would shower the bride
and the groom as they leave the church or the altar. The maid of honor also
makes sure that the flower girl is present and knows what she will do with the
flowers. 

7. On the wedding day, it is strictly written in all wedding etiquette
guides that maid of honors arrive at the wedding venue, usually a church, on
time or earlier so she can still assist the bride and the brides maids when
they are dressing. Be at least 2 hours ahead of everyone. 

8. She should brief the best man about his responsibilities. 

9. The maid of honor, as wedding etiquettes have it, should take care of the 
bride's train during the wedding and when she goes to the receiving line. 

10. The maid of honor should be kind to hold the wedding bouquet when the 
ceremony gets to the part when the bride and groom exchange rings. Do not, 
however, forget to hand back the bouquet after that part.

11. During double ring ceremonies, which seldom happen, she should carry the
groom's ring and hand it to the officiating minister. 

12. Maid of honor follow traditions and wedding etiquettes to coordinate with 
the official wedding photographer and assist him in identifying the entourage. 
Candid shots can be ethical as long as the shots are not hilarious to put the 
persons involved in compromising and awkward situations. 

13. She should be the witness in the signing of the marriage certificate. 

14. The maid of honor is expected to stand with the couple in the receiving 
line. As a sign that she knows anything about wedding etiquettes, she should 
traditionally stand to the groom's left side and the bridesmaids should stand 
to her left. 

15. Cooperate and coordinate with the best man, and help the bride and the 
groom depart, at least during certain symbolic rites in the ceremony. 

16. The maid of honor should make sure and help out see that the bride's 
demands or designs suggested for her dress is executed by the tailor.

Parting words

You, the bride's maid of honor should remember that you have a great
responsibility in making sure that the wedding would be wonderful for the
bride. Your own maid of honor would do the same when its time for you to be the
bride. Good luck!

Wedding Etiquette: Invitations

Some couples think that wedding invitations are not that important. They think
that a wedding invitation it is just a piece of paper that they give out to
their wedding guest which will be forgotten afterwards.

This is wrong. In fact there is a wedding etiquette even on invitations. This
is because wedding invitations give your guests a preview on how your wedding
will be celebrated. They will know through wedding invitations what they would
wear so they would not commit a violation in wedding etiquette for clothing and
dress, and they would know how formal or informal the event may be so they wold
know what to expect in the wedding reception.

Also, well made wedding invitations will give a lasting impression on your
wedding. Your guests will remember you even through your just your wedding
invitation.

Here are some information on wedding etiquette on invitations:

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 1:

What should be the wordings on your invitation?

You can go as formal as you like or as informal as you like. Formal wordings
are those that we often see on wedding invitations such as:

(centered) Mr. and Mrs. John Bates request the honour of your presence at the
marriage of their daughter Rachel Anne Bates to Mr. Matthew James Phoenix son
of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phoenix ...

You can replace the wordings of the above example and apply your own wordings
most especially if it is the couples who will do the inviting. Wedding
etiquette on invitations don't prohibit to go as poetic as they want themselves
to be or go funny to please their guests as they read the invitation.

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 2:

Who should be inviting? Wedding etiquette on invitation is not very rigid.
Before, if the father of the bride hosts the wedding, he should be the only
person who would do the inviting. But today, couples honor their parents and
let them do the inviting and if the couples themselves will fund their own
wedding.

Wedding etiquette can now be bent on this matter.

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 2:

When to send invitations?

Wedding etiquette on sending out of invitations must be done four to six weeks
before the wedding day. But for couples who prepare their wedding one or two
years ahead. Then can send out a save a date invititation since many things
will be changed along the way. This is also true for couples who want a wedding
with wedding destination theme. Wedding etiquette makes it clear that
invitations must be sent out earlier than four to six weeks, in fact even six
months ahead, so that the guests can make their own hotel reservations ahead of
time

But remember, the save a date card is not yet the proper invitation. It is a
violation of wedding etiquette to replace a proper wedding invitation with a 
save a date card. Save a date card just serve as an initial announment about
your upcoming wedding. You should give your guests the courtesy to inform them of 
the exact venue of wedding celebration and reception, the attire and the date and 
time.

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 3:

Remove the tissues that come with engraved invitations. These tissues ar meant
to protect the paper from getting ink smudges before the invitation are
delivered at your doorstep. It is a wedding etiquette no-no to include them in
your invitation. It will ruin the look of your wedding invitation.

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 3:

On the issue of registry cards, wedding etiquette on invitation is very clear
that registry cards should not be included in the invitation. You may indicate
that you have an online registry if you have any and you can ask your guests to
visit your online registry. But its a wedding etiquette on invitation blunder if
you insert your wedding registry cards. Remember that gifts should always come
as a surprise, pleasant or not?

-- Wedding Etiquette On Invitations Fact 4:

Forget RSVP cards. Your guests are adults and should know how to respond to an
invitation. There is also wedding etiquette for guests in anwering invitations.
They should respond to a formal or informal wedding invite as soon as they get
them and response should not be later than two weeks before the wedding.

Doing the Wedding Invitation

Weddings should be well-planned. Any bride or groom will not want the one
important event in her and his life to be just ordinary. That is why it is
important for would-be-wed couples to be enlightened and follow several wedding
etiquettes.

A lot of mistakes, misdeeds and bad gestures almost always ruin or spoil
weddings. Be it on the part of the bride and the groom, the parents, the guests
or even the bride's maids and groom's men, there are wedding and proper
etiquettes that could be adhered to.

Wedding etiquettes are important so people can show to others that they have
been raise well and with good and proper breeding. People's actions also speak
a lot about a person, and most uf us want others to speak good of us.

Wedding etiquettes: From the top

Wedding etiquettes are followed even during the initial stage or phase of the
wedding---the planning and short listing of guests.

Today, soon-to-be-wed couples are almost always hiring wedding planners to take
care of even the smallest details of the forth coming wedding.

But there are still several aspects where the couple should attend to
personally. For one, doing the wedding invitation should not be left to the
wedding planners.

The soon-to-be-wed couple should make sure that their wedding invitation is
personalized. Of course, they are overjoyed in their coming blissful matrimony,
and it should show and be conveyed through the wedding invitation.

Sincerity of wordings and aesthetic style of the wedding invitation will
certainly do a lot of wonders.

There are a few other mediums the couple could use today to convey invitations
to short listed guests. For one, the guests can be reached through e-mail.

E-mails are almost always informal. Through this, the language used is more
personalized, thus, sincerity can be truly and freely conveyed.

Another informal channel if conveying wedding invitations is through word of
mouth, or the gossip factory.

Words spread faster than we know. Through this, the invitation is conveyed in
the third person manner. For example, a forth coming wedding of John and Gina
is conveyed through the following word of mouth entry: "Hey, John and Gina are
tying the knot this Saturday, 6 pm at the Imperial Suites. I heard the couple's
wedding would be strictly formal."

Doing the formal wedding invitation

Most wedding experts and life stylists still recommend formal wedding
invitations over other forms of invites.

Formal wedding invitations will convey sincerity, style and seriousness. But
did you know that the words used in wedding invitations will equally hold a
great weight or bearing as that of the message itself?

In adherence to numerous and multiple wedding etiquette guides, the words in
the wedding invitation should be written in the third person. Meaning, the
pronouns used should be he, she, him, her, their, them.

The invitations, bearing the third-person writing format should strictly be
printed on heavyweight cream, white or ivory paper. Even the font style should
be paid much attention to. According to several wedding etiquette books,
traditional and formal wedding invitations should be using classic style letter
fonts like Roman.

More on wordings for wedding invitations

In our modern times, the couple usually pays for all the costs of the wedding.
But did you know that traditionally, it is the bride's parents who carry the
burden?

Western wedding etiquettes have it that the parents of both the bride and the
groom can shoulder the expenses for the coming wedding. This may not be
economical and likely on the part of the parents, but that is wedding
etiquette, and the tradition must live on.

Usually, since the parents are the one covering the wedding and the reception,
wedding invitations are written, still in the third person style, but as if the
parents are one the inviting the guests.

To illustrate clearly how wedding invitations should be worded in accordance to
wedding etiquette guidelines, check on the following examples:

Traditional third-person wedding invitation styles

-- When the bride's parents are the hosts:

Mr and Mrs Robert Murdoch Request your honorable presence At the wedding of
their one and only daughter Cheryl Murdoch to Mr Joseph Stokes

-- When both the bride's and the groom's parents are hosting:

Mr and Mrs Robert Murdoch and Mr and Mrs Ronnie Stokes Request your honorable
presence At the wedding of their one and only daughter Cheryl Murdoch to Mr
Joseph Stokes

The examples above show clear and formal invitations in the third person style.

So there. If you are planning to get married, pay attention to the invitations
you would be distributing. Remember, the wedding invitations should be the
first statements you would be releasing as a couple to a number of guests,
relatives and friends.

Wedding Etiquette: The Name Order on Invitations

Planning a wedding is one of the most stressful but fulfilling event in a
person's life. While you are considering which venue your wedding reception
should be held, you should also consider wedding etiquette along the
preparations to avoid seeing raised eyebrows and hearing snide remarks from
your wedding guests.

Since a wedding won't start without invited guests, you should learn the
wedding etiquette on invitations' name order. Yeah, you might say, do I still
need to bother with wedding etiquette on invitations' name order when I need to
accomplish more pressing matters such as how should my wedding party be
celebrated?

I hate to say this, but you should give your wedding invitation a great deal of
time. It is the very first thing that guests would see before the wedding itself
and it may be the cause of not so nice confrontation with relatives who believe
in traditional way of celebrating wedding ,which includes old fashioned wedding
etiquette and even invitations' name order.

Don't be a hard head on this matter. Even if you claim you are the bride of the
new millenia, pay for your own wedding, and know how to arrange your own wedding
without the help of your old fashioned relatives, you still need to consider the
feelings of an old grandmother, or an ailing aunt who wants to have some billing
on your wedding invitation.

All you have to do is to learn the basis wedding etiquette and invitations'
name order. This way, you will be headache free from demanding but loveable
relatives.

What you should know about wedding invitation and announcement etiquette? You
should learn the following:

*  Wedding Etiquette on Wedding Invitations' Name Order o Wedding Etiquette on
Wedding Invitations' Wording and Addressing o Assembling My Own Wedding
Invitations o Wedding Etiquette on the When and the How of Sending Out My
Wedding Invitations o Wedding Etiquette on the How of Mailing Wedding
Invitations

You could learn all this by reading Emily Post's book on Wedding Etiquette. It
is available in Barnes and Nobles and Amazon stores. It is the best primer for
everything that has got to do with wedding etiquette.

We have some few suggestions below about wedding etiquette on wedding
invitations' name order if you are now preparing for your wedding invitations.

*  Wedding Etiquette on Wedding Invitations' Name Order

Wedding etiquette on wedding invitations' name order dictates that whoever is
the host of the wedding -- he, she or they -- should be on the top of the
billing and is or are the person requesting for the presence of the guests.

*  Here's a wedding etiquette on wedding invitations' name order the
traditional style when it is the bride's parents who are hosting:

(centered) Attorney and Mrs. John Bates request the honour of your presence at
the marriage of their daughter Rachel Anne Bates to Mr. Matthew James Phoenix

....

*  What's the wedding etiquette on wedding invitations' name order when the
bride's parents are hosting and the bride wants to include the groom's parents
in the billing?

(centered)

Mr. and Mrs. John Bates request the honour of your presence at the marriage of
their daughter Rachel Anne Bates to Mr. Matthew James Phoenix son of Mr. and
Mrs. Robert Phoenix ...

*  If both the parents will pay for the wedding, here's the wedding etiquette
on the invitations' name order:

(centered)

Mr. and Mrs. John Bates and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phoenix request the honour of
your presence at the marriage of Rachel Anne Bates to Mr. Matthew James Phoenix

...

*  If the bride or groom wish to honor and add on the invitation the name of a
deceased parent, below is the wedding etiquette on invitations' name order:

Mrs. John Bates requests the honour of your presence at the marriage of her
daughter Rachel Anne Bates also daughter of the late Mr. John Bates to Mr.
Matthew James Phoenix son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phoenix (son of Mr. Robert
Phoenix and the late Mrs. Sarah Phoenix)

...

Or, in the alternative,

Rachel Anne Bates daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bates (or daughter of Mrs.
Julia Bates and the late Mr. John Bates) and Mr. Matthew James Phoenix son of
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phoenix (son of Mr. Robert Phoenix and the late Mrs. Sarah
Phoenix)

Wedding Etiquette on Hotel Rooms

A wedding with wedding destination theme has been gaining popularity these
days. Couples are choosing a wedding venue far from home. Invited guests are
mostly close friends and families who would take the trouble to do a long drive
or fly to the wedding venue just to attend the wedding celebration.

Wedding venues for wedding destination are usually being held on a beach, a
botanical garden, or scenic spots. These places are offered to public for a fee
to use the place for wedding ceremony or wedding reception. But most of these
wedding destination venues do not offer a place where the bride, groom, the
wedding party and wedding guests may stay before the wedding day. This is the
reason why nearby hotels are fully booked even a week before the wedding.

The bride, groom, the rest of the wedding party and the wedding guests are
expected to behave and follow wedding etiquette on use of hotel rooms. Yes,
wedding etiquette must be observed when using hotel rooms.

For one thing, if you are a bride or a groom and you violated wedding etiquette
on proper use of hotel rooms, you will create bad impression on your family name
even before the two of you gets married. Or if you are a member of the wedding
party or you are a wedding guest and you violated a wedding etiquette on proper
use of hotel rooms, you are giving the newly weds a bad name when you should
have been helping them create a good name by themselves.

Below are some basic wedding etiquette on proper use of hotel rooms when you
have or attending a wedding with wedding destination theme:

-- Wedding etiquette on Proper use of Hotel Rooms Before the Wedding Day

1. The very basic wedding etiquette on proper use of hotel rooms is that the
bride and the groom should not share the same suite. Yes, people know that you
love each other very much (that is why you are getting married, right?), but
please, please save your energy for your wedding day, would you? You can do
whatever you want after the wedding day and you have all the time in the world
to spend days and nights in each other's arms.

Besides, there is this old tradition that the bride and the groom should not
see each other the night before the wedding day or that the groom should not
see the bride in her wedding dress because the wedding will be called of.

If you are sharing the same suite, of course the groom would see the bride not
just in her wedding dress but as she wears it. So, for just once, follow the
old saying even if it is just a superstition just to avoid seeing raised
eyebrows from your family and wedding guests. You might even bring your parents
or old relatives to a heart attack if you break this old tradition.

Another wedding etiquette in hotel is that brides should refrain from being a
bridezilla to the roomboys, chambermaids, and other hotel personnel. Although
it is true that the hotel have got fully booked because of your wedding, you
should also remember that you don't employ them, much more own them.

You should not ask them to run errands that are not related to their work
anymore or shout at them when they can't give you your demands as fast as you
want them to be. Stop acting like as though you were the most precious person
around because you are getting married in a few hours. Act like a blushing
bride with right wedding etiquette and not the other way around.

-- Wedding etiquette on Proper use of Hotel Rooms After the Wedding Day

2. Refrain from getting yourself some hotel souvenirs. If you are a bride,
don't mar your newly acquired surname by stealing items that you can easily buy
from a department store.

If you are a guest, please restrain your hands from stealing ash trays, towels
or comforters as a memento or souvenir. They are not wedding keepsakes from the
bride and the groom. Do not worry, the newlyweds have something special for you.

Basic Wedding Etiquette For Out Of Town Weddings

He proposed and you said yes. After deciding to have an out of town wedding,
now comes the most stressful part of the entire engagement: the wedding
preparations. As a member of the event, whether as the celebrants, the
entourage, family or guests, it is important to know that everyone must observe
wedding etiquette for out of town weddings.

For the celebrants:

Gift wedding etiquette for out of town weddings are the same as any church
wedding. The couple is not allowed to open the gifts before the actual wedding
date. This makes it easier to return them should the event be cancelled because
of unforeseen circumstances. And like any proper wedding etiquette for out of
town weddings, all gifts must be returned when something like that happens.

It is a formality that if the couple has a preference for monetary gifts, as a
wedding etiquette for out of town weddings, it is advised not to print it on
the invitation. A spreading it by "word of mouth" is much more appreciated.

Another wedding etiquette for out of town weddings is to get a bridal registry.
As this is done even before going out of town, there is no problem with signing
up and setting it in your favorite store.

Looking for a hotel where all the guests, family and entourage can stay is a
very important wedding etiquette for out of town weddings. Choose those near
the wedding location, with good amenities and affordable group rates.

For the bride:

The bride is usually asked to follow wedding traditions. As a wedding etiquette
for out of town weddings, this is no exemption. The bride is forbidden to see
the groom for 24 hours before the wedding ceremony. This is said to increase
the longing and anticipation for the event itself.

The bridesmaids must also be aware of the wedding etiquette for out of town
weddings when throwing a bridal shower. The best time to throw the party is a
week or three days before the big event. Bridal shower wedding etiquette for
out of town weddings can be as innocent as a trip to the spa or as wild as a
stop at the local men's strip club. Giving the bride a bachelorette gift is
optional.

For the groom:

Since men are not as concerned about the details as the women, the groom's
wedding etiquette for out of town weddings are kept to a minimum. First, he
should be helpful to the wedding coordinator and give them whatever they need
to make the out of town wedding a success.

Second, he should handle the men and try to avoid any conflicts that alcohol or
other issues may arise before the event. And lastly, the groom's wedding
etiquette for out of town weddings is to show up at the altar on the wedding
date.

Stag parties thrown by the groom's friends can get rowdy. Depending on their
budget, parties like this happen in hotels or strip joints. The groom must
remember the bachelor party wedding etiquette for out of town weddings. The
sacred rule of "look but don't touch" must be carried out to the letter.

Should anything else happen on that night, only the groom and his friends can
say. Another wedding etiquette for out of town weddings for stag parties is
secrecy. We can only hope that he comes away from the experience gaining a
deeper appreciation and love for you.

For the entourage:

A wedding etiquette for out of town weddings concerning the members of the
entourage is to make sure that they have all their gowns, suits and accessories
ready. Last minute accidents like a broken heels or ripping dresses are
unavoidable so be prepared for anything.

Being on time is another wedding etiquette for out of town weddings. Since the
place is unfamiliar to you, make sure you get to the wedding location about
five to ten minutes before the ceremony. If you have not rehearsed the
entrance, this buys you enough time to look around and get acquainted with the
place.

For the guests:

As a wedding etiquette for out of town weddings, you can make it a special
event for yourself by turning it into a mini-vacation. But remember that you
are there, first and foremost, at the couple's request. Sharing in their love
and celebration is your obligation and you should do everything to help make
the day special for them.

One of the best decisions for a couple is to get a wedding coordinator to
handle all the preparations for you. The wedding etiquette for out of town
weddings does not require that it should be handled by a third-party. But
sometimes a fresh perspective and a commanding personality is what a big event
like this needs. All the bride should be doing is to relax and be ready for her
walk down the aisle.

Wedding Etiquette For a Second Marriage

What if your heart beats again for the second time? Scary, isn't it? Many
questions pop-up your mind especially now that he proposed marriage to you. The
first question that your mind have formed was what is the wedding etiquette for
a second marriage?

It is a tough question but it needs to be answered. Learning the wedding
etiquette for a second marriage will help you lessen the pressure and tension
that your first family (which you love so much) have unconsciously thrown at
your back. You need to carry the situation like any sensible adult.

Before, it is a popular thought that second marriage should not be elaborate,
extravagant and formal the way a first marriage is celebrated. But today, this
belief does not hold true anymore. You can still aim for an intimate, smaller
and quieter second marriage but you can also celebrate a festive one, if you
prefer and your budget allows you to do so.

What is important is that your second marriage is celebrated the way you would
want it to be. Don't limit yourself and do what others expect you to do for a
second marriage. Remember, it is you who will get wed and not them. Besides,
you would not violate any wedding etiquette by following your heart's desires.

Here are some information for you on wedding etiquette for a second marriage.

-- Wedding Etiquette for a Second Marriage: Announcing Your Engagement

In getting wed for the second time, your major concerns will be the second
marriage's effect on your children, if you have any, and to your close
relatives. If you plan to remarry, your children should know first of your
decision. You must ready your children for having a new family and new brothers
and sisters. Uniting two families will not be stressful for you but for your
children, most especially.

The next to be informed are your parents. Of course, they need to be in your
wedding and informing them is a sign of courtesy to them. Next will be your ex,
especially if you have arranged joint custody for the children. He should know
that there will be some changes in your household.

Also, you should wear your new engagement ring. There mustn't have any trace of
old flames on your fingers the moment you begin planning and announcing your
second wedding.

-- Wedding Etiquette for a Second Marriage: Dress Issue

Widow brides who are getting married for the second time are expected to wear
lilac or lavender dress. But these does not hold true nowadays. Wedding
etiquette for a second marriage gives bride a chance to wear white dress again.
Divorced brides can also wear white dress although they could remove the veil
and tiara and instead simply wear flowers on your head.

-- Wedding Etiquette for a Second Marriage: Who to Invite?

When planning for your second wedding, think that you can invite any person you
want to attend to your wedding. Refrain from inviting former in-laws and
ex-spouses, even if you are on good terms with them. Guests may also feel
awkward seeing and being around them.

If your children, however, requested that their father should be in the
wedding, try to talk them out about it and tell them how awkward it would feel
for the new in-laws and the new groom to see an ex-spouse around. Wedding
etiquette for a second marriage does not obligate you to invite an ex-spouse to
your second wedding, although you may do so if the situation warranted.

But if your new groom agrees to the idea of inviting an ex-spouse as requested
by the children and your ex-spouse agreed on it, then you may invite your
ex-spouse to attend your second wedding.

But there is a more sensible idea than inviting your ex-spouse to your wedding.
Invite him to a dinner, perhaps at your home, with your children and new
husband, if he is up to it. Tell your children that the dinner replaces the
wedding invitation and your children may finally agree on not invitating their
father on the wedding day. You may do this before or after your wedding or
honeymoon.

The Bride's or Groom's Father has a Girlfriend

Situation 1. Martha was about to get married. On the wedding day, she, her
mother, her bridesmaids and her father's girlfriend went to the beauty parlor
to have their hair done. Upon arrival, they have learned that only one stylist
was present.

The situation created a commotion. The father's girlfriend, being so vain and
inconsiderate was the first to manage her hair done. Of course, the mom and the
bridesmaids fumed in anger.

Situation 2. Albert was the groom. His father has a current hot girlfriend. The
girlfriend was almost of Albert's age and is obviously just after fun. In short,
it was apparent his father's girlfriend and his dad are just having a fling.
Should the girl be invited to the wedding?

There you go. Wedding situations can sometimes get really petty. If you are a
bride's or a groom's father's girlfriend, consider your position. Do not ruin
some people's precious moments. Do not settle to steal wedding thunders. Adopt
a mature stance even just for the wedding occasion.

Dilemmas

The usual dilemmas brides and grooms encounter involving their father's
girlfriends and their moms will be discussed in this section.

Let us consider this situation. Dory's father has a girlfriend. He threatens
that he will not attend or show up at the wedding if the girlfriend will not be
invited. In short, the father wants to display his sexual prowess by tagging
along his hot girlfriend in the wedding.

Inviting them both will never be a problem, Dory thought. But the situation got
complicated when Dory got to talk to her mother.

Telling the mom of her father's demand, the mother, of course, got really
really angry. There will be no way she can be at the wedding if her father will
bring along his girlfriend. The world seems too tight for the three people.

What should Dory do? It is like asking her who she loves more, her father or
her mother?

Adhering to the wedding etiquettes, Dory should not choose one. She should
instead strategize to avoid being made to choose.

As a wedding etiquette, fathers and mothers should be in the wedding. For
Dory's case, she just told her mom and dad that they would not want to ruin the
occasion just because of a tiny dispute. It worked.

Of course, the mom, the dad, and his girlfriend will never get along, but Dory
made sure the three will not meet face to face during the occasion. That way,
the wedding moved smoothly. No cakes were thrown and no one screamed at each
other.

What if the father's girlfriend is for the long-term?

Bride's or groom's father's girlfriends are not always on the downside.
Sometimes there are these girlfriends who are meant or intended to be long time
partners.

If that is the case, wedding etiquettes have it that the girlfriend be invited
to the wedding. Anyways, she will be a part of the family soon so she should
start her function early.

Make sure the ex-wife and the current girlfriend of the bride's or groom's
father know that each other would attend so both of them will not be surprised.
Remember, it is during surprising moments that hot-tempered women act
impulsively.

Short-term or flings

If the father's girlfriend is apparently just a fling or just a short-term
relationship, and if the father's divorce with the mom is not yet through,
explain to the father the situation.

Tell him the sanctity of marriage will be symbolized in the ceremony. Tell him,
though it may sound not really nice, that bringing in a date especially since he
is not yet totally divorced would degrade the solemnity and sanctity of the
sacrament.

Explain that whether you dislike his girlfriend or you do like her, people will
still see him married to the mother. So he should spare his girlfriend from
embarrassment by not bringing her along. The girlfriend might just feel that
she is not invited to the wedding anyways.

Fathers should be more understanding because they are assumed to be more mature
and wise. Thus, if you are a bride or a groom in those situations, find the
strength to deal with the matter with grace and patience. Be diplomatic and
talk it out. This will save you your wedding day.

Wedding Etiquette: For the Father of the Groom's Girlfriend

During the 1800 to 1900, the wedding etiquette is that the father of the
groom's girlfriend should pay for the wedding expenses. Everything that has to
be paid should be paid by the father of the groom's girlfriend.

This was the wedding etiquette before because it is the father of the groom's
girlfriend who will decide on everything that her daughter should do, including
approval of the man she would marry, the date of the marriage, and how her
marriage should be celebrated.

You may now ask, why was it that girls agree to this wedding etiquette and
allow their father to decide for themselves? Is this wedding etiquette still
applicable up to this time?

This wedding etiquette was not being questioned during those times. Any
decision by the father of the groom's bride is always respected. Even the bride
themselves did not think that they were being oppressed. They thought and
believe that they were being taken care of fully.

During those times, the father of the grooms bride feed his daughter, took care
of her and brought her to lady manners school to learn and practice the right
way of socializing, dressing, and speaking. Every teenage daughters in a middle
to upper class families were required to attend finishing schools. This was done
to teach the bride the proper wedding etiquette and to ready her for the life of
a married lady.

So, when the father had decided that her daughter was ready to get married, he
will announce his daughter's debut and would held a party for her to announce
her coming of age. All suitors would be, of course, under the father's
scrutinizing eye. He will only accept suitors that he thinks could feed and
take care of her daughter.

If the father has chosen the suitor of his choice and his daughter agrees, the
engagement will be announced.

Because of wedding etiquette, the father of the groom's bride won't ask a
single penny from the father or parents of the groom. The father of the groom's
bride should have saved enough money to celebrate the wedding of his daughter in
the way her daughter wants it and the way he, the father, wants it to be held.

So, if he wants an extravagant and festive wedding celebration complete with
ball, he should save have saved money the moment he learnt that her child is a
she.

Today, however, things have changed. Because of high cost of living and that
the brides are not too dependent on their father or parents and are earning
their own money as well, the wedding etiquette has bent slightly. Although the
modern wedding etiquette does not stop the father of the groom's girlfriend to
pay for the wedding, he is not compelled to refuse the help of the groom's
parents or their desire to co-host the wedding.

Getting married these days is very costly and it requires a great fortune on
the part of the father of the groom's girlfriend. Everyone can contribute to
the wedding, financially and of services.

The modern wedding etiquetted does not oblige or compel the father of the
groom's girlfriend to shoulder the entire wedding expenses, most especially if
he now has a new family and young children that he needs to feed. The
traditional wedding etiquette, the father of the groom's girlfriend paying for
the wedding cost, may still be done these days only by fathers with great
fortune. Daughters should be understanding enough of these situations.

In fact even the groom and her girlfriend can finance their own wedding without
the help of their parents. With couples these days preparing their wedding
ahead, a year or two, they can have an ample time to save cash for their
wedding.

But if the father of the groom's girlfriends has decided to co-host the
wedding, the bride and the groom should be sensitive of their feelings and
should accept the offered help. Parents want to be part of the most special day
of their child and we should not deny them in satisfying themselves by helping
out cover some wedding costs.

Weddings Brings Back The Love For Divorced Parents

Dealing with divorced parent in a wedding can be tricky and complicated. While
coping with the situation will be stressful particularly for the brides, having
a beautiful wedding despite having divorced parents is never impossible.

Divorced parents of the bride or groom should participate in the wedding
ceremony. In addition, they also to the rehearsal dinner even if they will
likely act horribly. Not inviting the parents will create more trouble. The
parents may or may not have to host the rehearsal dinner, which is supposedly
one of the most relaxing portions of the wedding process.

Indicating in an Invitation

- The name of the mother is the first written then followed by the father. The
word "AND" cannot be used between the names.

- The names of the mother and stepfather can be written in the invitation if
the father has not been involved in the life of the bride or groom since she/he
was a baby.

- The individuals whose names are appearing on the invites do not have to be
always the ones paying for the wedding despite popular belief.

Sharing in costs

The couple should consider opening a checking account that will solely contain
expenses for the wedding. The divorced parents should be asked on how much they
can contribute. It is advisable to ask a check for a lump sum that will be
deposited to the wedding account in order to make the money easily accessible
whenever it is needed.

Seating arrangement

If the divorced parents are not speaking with each other, it is advisable that
the two should be seated apart from the each other. One of them might be
attending with someone the other parent cannot be comfortable with. Etiquette
dictates that mother and stepfather occupy the first row, while father and
stepmother sit on the second row.

However, the divorced parents can be seated with each other if they are on good
terms but will likely have to stay in different areas during the reception.

No families are the same, as each has different problems and scenarios that
affect relationships. Communication is the most important way to keep
relationships strong. The couple have a responsibility of keeping the divorced
informed about the progress of the wedding and they should also be given a
chance to contribute. Never compare the behaviour of one parent to another, as
this could result in conflict.

A wedding ceremony follows certain etiquette in order to make the occasion flow
seamlessly.

- In a semi-private wedding, bridesmaids and groomsmen should perform certain
responsibilities in assisting the bride and groom.

- The bridesmaids should obviously be younger than the bride and their outfils
should complement each other. The dresses of the bridesmaids can include more
ornaments and composed of light and graceful fabric. Flowers should serve as
the main decoration.

- The wedding gown should be very simple but can be combined with few jewels or
ornaments coming from the parents or groom. The most attractive part of the
dress should be the garland and veil.

- The bridesmaids should help the bride in wearing the wedding gown and
attending to guests. Bridemaids should position themselves at the bride's left
side during the ceremony. The first bridesmaid should be responsible in keeping
the bouquet and gloves.

- Bridesmaids can be positioned from the tallest to the shortest from the
couple in order to be symmetrical. A bridesmaid and groomsman with similar
height can be paired with each other.

- The groomsmen are assigned to receive the clergyman and then lead him to the
couple. They should be positioned groom's right side during the wedding
ceremony.

Ceremony in Church

The bride enters from the left side walking with her father followed by her
bridesmaids. The groom enters the room from the right and is followed by his
groomsmen. The parents come from behind the entourage, while the attendants can
stand from either side.

The glove of the bride does not need to be snug, as it will be taken off later
in the ceremony. In addition, the ring should be placed where the groom can
easily see it to avoid delaying the ceremony.

A Western Flare For Your Wedding

Applying a western theme to you wedding is a sure way to make that special
occasion a truly memorable. From country music to cowboy hats, this theme is
designed to make your gets feel like they are back in the old wild west and
party all night screaming "Yee-haw"!

A western wedding also means that parts of the ceremony will be made outdoors.
Ideal locations include parks and back yards. A mountainous area will make a
perfect back drop if you live in the West. If not, other locations to hold your
western wedding include an old barnhouse, grange hall or dance hall.

Watching some western movies will help give you an idea on what you should be
wearing. Based on wedding etiquette, the bride can wear a Victorian dress if
you truly want that Old West look. For a more contemporary look, go for lace or
denim. The cowboy can be decorated with a cowboy hat with a little touch of
craft glue.

The groom can wear men's cowboy boots, hats and bolo ties. Western 
ornaments can be found in antique shops and flea market. These can be used as
decoration. Ask the bridesmaids and groomsmen to look for such items in order
to get themselves acquainted.

Using a horse is a nice way to add some serious spice to a western wedding. The
bride and groom can each ride a horse and can even express their vows while on
horseback. If possible, rent a horse-and-carriage to ride away from the
ceremony afterwards. The could should make a list western music they would like
to play during the festivities.

Country artists that can be considered include Johnny Cash, Randy Travis, Lyle
Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette and the Dixie Chicks.

A special wedding CD can be given to guests if you feel generous. Each time
they listen to the music they will remember your special day.

Western delicacies can also be serves and cooking them during the even itself
will give guests a taste of the West. An open-pit barbecue is advisable, and
will release a hickory scent. Coleslaw, baked potato and beans can go with the
barbecue.

During the evening, a nice warm bonfire can be used to toast marshmallows and
skewers from the cowboys and cowgirls chilling around.

Cowboy Hats For Weddings

NATURAL MULTI TAN ROLLED EDGE BRIM CASUAL COWBOY HAT

Simple hat has matching colors flowing throughout it's weave. Soft and pliable
to the touch because of its poly braids. Continuous use of the hat helps
improves its condition. Can be easily shaped and ideal for staying at the
beach, shopping, sporting events or any casual outings.

Size One size fits most Special Features Grosgrain sweatband Brim Size
(approx). 3.5" inches at widest point Circumference (approx).22" inches Colors
within this hat Tan with beige stripes, creme and yellow Material 100%
Polyester Origin Imported

Peter Grimm Drifter Straw Cowboy Hat

This cowboy hat for weddings is made of Flat Morocca Straw. Features an Elastic
Sweatband for moisure-wicking and comfort. Has metal eyelets and the hat has a
Pre-curved Brim for ultimate comfort. The Brim has a flexible wire inside
making it simple to shape. This hat is similarly designed like the well-known
Shady Brady, but not as expensive.

TAN & GOLD BENDED BRIM AMBER BEADED BAND COWBOY HAT

A cowboy hat for glitz and shimmer. A metallic embossed blended paper braid
shapeable cowboy hat. Ideal for those that lounge around the beach or a concert
or clubs. This hat is designed with an attractive faux amber and antiqued gold
ornate chain, which dangles off the back to make it more beautiful.

ARDEN B LILAC STRAW COWGIRL SEXY

This attractive hat from Arden B is created with of knit straw and dye giving
it that somewhat worn out look. Comes with folded sides and elastic to help fit
most head sizes.

The Right Way to Dress: Wedding Etiquette for Clothing

In our modern society, no one would care if you break a small rule or bend some
rules to make accommodate your wishes. And this also applies to wedding
ettiquette + clothing. You can break some wedding etiquette rule according to
your wishes.

Although old and traditional rules have now been modified, you should learn the
basic wedding etiquette on clothing before you bend some and break some.

Below are some guide for you, bride-to-be, on wedding etiquette + clothing:

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Bride

Traditionally the bride wears white. This is said to signify virginal purity
and innocence. But these days there's a slight changes in wedding etiquette on
clothing for bride. Brides are now allowed to wear a variation of white, such
as ivory, creme, and pale pastel colors to match the wedding's color motif.

For a widow bride who will wed for the second time, the tradition is for a
bride to wear lilac or lavander. However, modern brides don't follow this
tradition faithfully. Even ministers and priests allow widow brides to wear
wedding dress that they feel appropriate. In fact modern wedding etiquette +
clothing on widow bride is cream or ivory colored wedding dress.

For a church wedding, brides are asked to wear formal and more traditional
wedding dress. The old wedding etiquette on clothing for church wedding has
been kept for centuries although the church do allow creme colored wedding
dress and a tube and low back style wedding dress as long as the shoulders are
draped with semi-transparent cloth or the veil covers it.

With wedding that will be held at the registry office or which is more know as
the civil wedding ceremony, brides are allowed to wear any wedding dress that
they like. Simple evening dress may do, even your regular working clothes may
do. With civil wedding ceremony, the rule on wedding etiquette + clothing do
not apply.

Of course, if you want to avoid cringing at your photograph when people look at
it or if you yourself look at it in the future, don't try to wear a wedding
dress that don't look good at you. Forget the wedding etiquette on clothing,
just follow the few good teachings of street smart sensibilities. Extreme
fashion didn't look good yesterday and won't look good today and tomorrow.

The wedding etiquette on clothing if the bride is formally dressed, the rest of
the wedding party and wedding guests should be formally dressed.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Groom

The traditional wedding etiquette on clothing for the groom, the male members
of the family and the groomsmen should wear morning dress. For evening weddings
the modern wedding etiquette on clothing for groom is Tuxedo and black bow tie.
For civil ceremonies, groom may wear suit or match the dress theme of his
bride. If his bride will sport a summer look, he should wear a soft, flowing,
linen polo and beige cotton pants to match his bride's summer get-up.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Bridesmaids

Wedding etiquette on clothing for bridesmaid dictates that bridesmaids should
wear any dress that the bride chooses for them. However, bridesmaids may choose
to dress differently with each other. It is acceptable that bridesmaids have
different dress the designs. The only thing that they should maintain is the
color of the dress. They should wear the same color, the color that the bride
requires.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Male Attendants

Ushers and best man cannot choose the dress that they want. They will dress the
same as the groom. If the groom wears a morning dress or a tuxedo and a black
bow tie, then so will they.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Immediate Family

Any close family will dress formally. The two mothers, that of the bride and
the groom, must not both wear dress of the same color, while the fathers wear
any dress that the groom chooses. The choices, however, is just between black
tie and morning dress.

-- Wedding Etiquette on Clothing for Guests

The invitation speaks what guests should wear. A formal invitation requires
them to wear a formal attire. Modern wedding etiquette on clothing for guests
has allowed male guests to wear black tie even if the wedding is a bit
informal. For the female guests, they are now allowed to wear evening dress to
match their partner's black tie.

In Your Honor: The Maid Of Honor

The task of selecting the Maid of Honor is one of the most difficult decisions
that has to be made by the bride. The complexity is due to the fact that the
duties of the Maid are normally not defined and typically poorly addressed.
Every bride actually has her own opinion on what how a Maid of Honor should
act. However, communicating these ideas are difficult.

The Main of Honor is commonly perceived as a ceremonial figure that walks
behind the bride down the aisle before the bridesmaids. In another light, the
Maid of Honor can act, as the one that will help calm a nervous bride, helps in
sending out invitations, making sure the registry is properly sent, gives tips
on the how the wedding gown should look like and acts as the manager of the
bridesmaids.

The Maid of Honor can also host the bridal shower or the bachelorette party. To
sum it up, the Maid of Honor is the bride's closest friend or ally in preparing
for the wedding and will always be there during times of need and frustration.

The following are certain etiquette in choosing a Maid of Honor to help
minimize stress and maximize pleasure.

The Maid of Honor does not have to be a family member.

It is not a requirement to make a sister or a female cousin the Maid of Honor.
A best friend who has been there through thick and thin will likely deserve
this distinction.

The bride should instruct the Maid of Honor on her responsibilities.

Brides should communicate what they expect from the Maid of Honor such as
making a speech during the reception. Open communication between the two should
happen frequently.

Choosing more than one Maid of Honor is not illegal.

The bride should make sure that Maids of Honor have different responsibilities
in order to avoid jealousy between them.

The Maid of Honor needs to attend all-wedding activities such as showers and
parties for the bride. She will also be tasked to plan and be financially
responsible for any bachelorette party and assist in organizing invitations and
always be open for favors.

The Maid of Honor's emotional support is one her integral responsibilities. As
the so-called "maid" she is expected to give her full attention to the bride
during the wedding day. She should also make sure that the bride is looking
almost perfect before they troop down the aisle and constantly check on her
condition during the middle and end of the ceremonies up until the start of the
reception.

Upon choosing the Maid of Honor, she should be treated out by the bride to a
nice dinner or spa to make her feel she is a very important part of the
wedding. The Maid of Honor could have a dress designed differently from the
other bridesmaids to make her stand out in the entourage.

Etiquette also dictates that the Maid of Honor will wear the groom's ring on
her finger in the absence of a ring bearer. She is also part of the group that
will decorate the bridal car and help the bride in wearing the bridal dress.

A wedding ceremony adhered to certain etiquette to make the occasion flow
seamlessly and orderly.

- In a semi-private wedding, groomsmen and bridesmaids are given certain
responsibilities in helping the bride and groom during the wedding day.

- The bridesmaids should be younger than the bride and their dresses should
match. Bridesmaid dresses can include more ornaments and should be composed of
light and graceful material. Flowers should functions as the chief decoration.

- The wedding dress should be simple but can be attached with small jewels or
ornaments. The garland and veil should be the most eye-catching.

- Bridesmaids should stay at the bride's left side during the actual wedding
ceremony. The first bridesmaid should hold the bouquet and gloves.

- Bridesmaids can be positioned from the shortest to the tallest in order to be
symmetrical. A bridesmaid and groomsman with similar height can be paired.

- The groomsmen are assigned to guide the clergyman and then show him to the
couple. The groomsmen should stand at the groom's right side during the wedding
ceremony.

Wedding Etiquette: Cash Bar Wedding Parties

Open bar wedding party has been gaining popularity these days because more and
more couples have been celebrating an evening wedding. With open bar, guests
are free to order any brand of drink to their liking without limit as to how
many shots or glasses they should order.

However, some couples with limited budget see cash bar as the best option for
them. As opposed to open bar, guests must pay for every drink that they order
in a cash bar wedding party. The newly weds won't be held liable for a guest's
non-payment of a drink ordered. Guests should leave a bill for a drink the way
a customer does when he ordered a drink in a local bar.

If you, a groom or bride-to-be, are concerned with wedding etiquette, wedding
etiquette specialists will tell you not to go for a cash bar. If you would be
graded for a wedding etiquette examination, saying yes to a cash bar has a
grade of zero.

For specialists on wedding etiquette, cash bar is not an option even for
couples who are tight on a budget. Since cash bar violates wedding etiquette,
wedding etiquette specialists say that you should expect snide remarks from
your guests if you pursue a cash bar wedding party. You might even hear them
saying things like, the newly wed do not know wedding etiquette, or if they
couldn't afford an open bar, they shouldn't have hosted a cocktail party at all
and they should have stayed with a sit down dinner.

Guests who would make such a remark obviously are unaware of wedding etiquette
too. But just the same, we cannot silence them for making such remarks.

Some wedding etiquette books even say that if you are thinking of a cash bar
night party, make a pass for a night party; it's better not to have a night
party at all if it would be a cash bar.

- Solution to Cash Bar

There is a solution though to cash bar. According to books on wedding
etiquette, you can implement the semi-open bar. With this strategy, you won't
worry about violating wedding etiquette through cash bar and you won't need a
big budget to throw an open bar wedding party.

Wedding etiquette specialists would recommend you to open bar the first two
drinks to your wedding guests and cash bar the ordered drinks thereafter.

Two drinks are considered socially acceptable standards for social drinking. In
implementing the semi open, semi cash bar wedding party, you have satisfied the
needs of guests expecting you to practice wedding etiquette while at the same
time you have satisfied yourself for not spending too much.

Many couples who are not limited on a budget implement the two-drink open bar
and cash bar afterwards cocktail or evening wedding party. This is to avoid
excessive drinking from wedding guests, and for wedding guests to maintain
social composure.

Wedding Etiquette Book

A wedding etiquette book will usually extend the pages so as to meet the quota
of its publishers. It is a good thing, however, to have at least a guideline of
what a reader can expect from a wedding etiquette book.

Enumerated and listed below are the topics and subjects that one will expect
from reading a wedding etiquette book. A good wedding etiquette book will
usually cover the topics or subjects listed below.

This article desires to help readers or couples who want to know what to expect
in a wedding etiquette book. Basic reading of the topics or subjects listed
below will give a reader a simple guide to go through while searching for the
necessities in weddings.

This article was written based from a proper and orderly wedding etiquette set
in the American way and is sourced from a wedding etiquette book. Readers are
encouraged to use teh article as a sort of guide to help and aid with the
decision, with the family, and who will supposedly pay for what in a wedding
setting.

1. Expenses Of The Bride

A good wedding etiquette book must list the Groom's Wedding Band as one of the
expenses to be handled by the bride. Aside from this, a good wedding etiquette
book will also handle the gifts for the attendants, also the accommodation for
out of town attendants. A good wedding etiquette book will also list the
wedding gift for the groom as necessary expense of the bride.

2. Expenses Of The Groom

A good wedding etiquette book must list the bride's engagement ring and the
wedding band as an expense by the groom. Also the expense for the honeymoon,
the wedding gift needed for the bride is listed as an expense by the groom.

The groom will also handle the expense for the marriage license, the gifts for
the groom's men, the accommodation for the out of town groom's men, and the
flowers needed for the bride.

A good wedding etiquette book will also list the corsages needed for mothers,
and the special ladies. Also the groom will cover the expense for the
boutonnieres for the men in the wedding parties. Also, accessories for the men
that are in the wedding party as well as the fee for the clergy person or the
judge must be noted by a good wedding etiquette book.

3. Expenses By the Bride's Family

A good wedding etiquette book will also include the expenses handled by the
bride's family. The bride's family will most usually handle the cost of the
wedding reception and ceremony. The bride's wedding attire as well as all the
invitations, the announcements and thank you notes are handled by the bride's
family. The bride's family will also handle the mailing costs of all the
invitations, announcements and thank you notes.

A good wedding etiquette book will also handle the expense for the photographer
and videographer. A good wedding etiquette book will also handle the expense of
the flowers and accessories for the bridesmaids, the flower girls, and the ring
bearers.

Lastly, a good wedding etiquette book will handle the expense of all
transportation for the bridal party on the wedding day from the ceremony to the
reception. All the gratuities for all the services are also included by a good
wedding etiquette book. A bride's family will also handle the expenses for the
luncheon of the bridesmaid.

4. Expenses By The Groom's Family

A good wedding etiquette book will also state that the groom's family will
handle the clothing for the actual wedding, the travel and lodging expense for
the wedding, the rehearsal dinner and also the wedding gift for the newlyweds.

5. Expenses By The maid Or Matron Of Honor

A good wedding etiquette book will handle the cost of the dress and the other
attire. The Maid of Honor will also handle the expense of the travel expenses
of the wedding.

A good wedding etiquette book will handle the one shower gift aside from the
one wedding gift. The Maid of Honor will also share the cost for the bridal
shower.

6. Expenses By The Bridesmaids

A good wedding etiquette book will note that when a bridesmaid is below sixteen
years old, she is not expected to help with the cost of the wedding.

Usually, the bridesmaids will cover the expense for their own dresses and the
other attire, the travel expenses, and the only one shower gift and the one
wedding gift. The bridesmaids will likewise share the expense for the bridal
shower with the maid of honor.

Recommended Wedding Etiquette Books

In every part of the world, ladies dream of weddings. More often than not, they
succeed in getting one. Thus, for every nation or country, in every culture,
there are weddings.

Weddings have become inevitable events in modern society. But, it is clear and
apparent that weddings have become, in a sense, a way of lifestyle. It can be
attributed to the Western influence.

Wedding traditions, be it for Americans, Asians, Europeans, Africans or any
race, have become universalized. When you say universalized, it means the event
has adhered to same customs and traditions.

Thus, we have wedding etiquettes. Wedding etiquettes can vary from one country
to another. But the variations are only slight and minimal. Moreover, the
ethics and etiquettes in weddings are all but the same.

Because being into weddings or attending weddings have become a way of our
modern life, people can get anxiety knowing that there are certain gestures
that can be considered not likely during weddings.

If you are a bride or a groom, the anxiety can get really concerning. The
couple will have to undergo a hard time---on wedding jitters and on anxiety
from wedding customs.

Thus, the best way to help the soon-to-be-wed couple is to educate them about
certain wedding etiquettes.

Because learning venues for wedding etiquettes can get so distracting, awkward
and embarrassing at the same time, it is advisable that those needing briefings
for wedding etiquettes consult the book stands.

The following are several of the highly recommended readings or books for or
about wedding etiquettes. To get to know the books better, or to absorb what
they have to say, get to the nearest book store or go to your favorite online
shopping site to place an order.

Some recommended wedding etiquette books

"The Everything Etiquette Book: A Modern-Day Guide to Good Manners" by Leah
Ingram. The author, Leah Ingram is considered as one of society's etiquette
experts. Actually, the book is not exclusive to wedding etiquettes.

The book tackles etiquettes for everyday living. Included in the topics covered
are how to deal with annoying neighbors, how to choose and send the perfect gift
for every occasion, professionalism at work, camaraderie with colleagues and
friends, dealing with unlikely relatives and so on.

Because the book covers everything etiquette, of course, a few pages are
allotted to weddings. The wedding etiquettes mentioned in the book are glimpses
and shortened or simplified, but they still are effective tips.

"Crane's Wedding Blue Book" by Steven L. Feinberg. Mr Steven Feinberg's wedding
book is very detailed and covers everything about wedding etiquettes.

The issues tackled start from the preparation---from short listing the guest
list, doing the invitation, hiring wedding planners, and so on. The wedding
etiquettes covered by the book extend to until after the honeymoon, when the
couple should have finished giving out thank you cards to their wedding guests.

The book also gives tips and guidelines on what kind and color of paper to use
when printing out invites and than you notes. It also deals with the proper way
of handling unlikely, and yes, even wedding crashers.

"The Everything Wedding Etiquette Book: Insights and Advice on Handling Even
the Stickiest Wedding Issues" by Emily Ehrenstein and Laura Morin. The book
gives out little and practical do's and don'ts during weddings.

The book takes the issues from the different perspectives of that of the bride,
the groom, the parents, the maid of honor, the bride's maids, the groom's men,
stepmothers, down to the guests.

The book boasts of practical solution to every concern and awkward situations
that occur during weddings. The situations discussed can sometimes get cute,
amusing and funny, but you can tell that they are timely and truthful. Several
sticky situations, for sure, have happened to you.

Everyone who has attended weddings or who are planning to attend or get into
one can relate to the book.

The book even gives out solutions and advice on how to handle difficult
situations during weddings that include how to ask parents-in-law for financial
assistance to cover the reception, including step parents in the ceremony,
allowing single guests to tag along dates down to planning seat arrangements
for divorced parents and more.

The above mentioned wedding etiquette books can be found at our favorite book
stand or can be ordered online. Just read the books by heart so you can get to
absorb wedding etiquettes and save your face when situations get really sticky
during weddings.

Be My Wedding Guest: Dress Nicely:

The date of your friend's weeding is happily circled on your calendar and you
have started to scout for that perfect outfit. However, you still have no idea
what to wear.

The etiquette for the right wedding attire for a guest over 40 can be very
different depending on the wedding's style. However, clues are available to
help you make the right decision. An invitation that is formally crafted in an
indication that the wedding you'll be attending will also be formal. An invite
with casual wording will call for nice casual outfit. The invitation can also
have direct instructions.

The location of the wedding is also a good basis. A dress that easily gets
caught in the wind will not be appropriate for an outdoor wedding. High heels
should be avoided, as these easily sink in the grass or in the sand. A breezy
dress will help keep you cool in a hot location rather that a suit. A more
dressy and tailored outfit can be used in a wedding held indoors such as a
five-star restaurant and country club.

Daytime wedding attire for guests

For the Woman over 40

* A dress with a floral design o a sweater set coupled with slingback shoes and
a nice skirt. A light colored suit -- avoid anything that looks to formal. o a
beautiful hat that blends with what your are wearing.

For the Man over 40

* In weddings during the summer season a light-colored suit, especially
seersucker or linen. o Warmer clothing is appropriate for winter weddings.
Selections include wool suits, a slightly dark blazer with charcoal pants, and
possibly a sweater and tie below a blazer. o A dress shirt, dress and tie pants
can be used. A blazer can be used for added touch. o A dark suit is best suited
for a formal wedding. Tuxedoes should be worn before 6 pm.

Evening Wedding Female Over 40

* Dress like as if you are going to dinner or theatre. o Wear a not too sexy
cocktail dress that is fun to dance in. Black is good. o A cocktail suit or a
dressy suit o To look more sophisticated wear darker colors. o Beads or sequins
should be avoided if not specified especially if it is not a black tie affair.

For the Man Over 40

* Dark suits are always acceptable o Blazer and slacks matched with a nice tie
can be worn in a casual or semi-formal wedding.

Black-tie optional

Female Over 40

* A cocktail dress reaching the floor

For the Man Over 40

* A tuxedo is the perfect thing to wear in this occasion. o The guest should
dress as formally as possible.

THINGS NOT To WEAR:

- Anything white is discouraged especially those that do not have prints. Those
that choose to do so should make sure they do not upstage the bride. - Anything
dark during a daytime wedding - Jeans - Anything too revealing or sexy -
Anything with holes, stained or torn and anything too small or too big. -
Anything strapless or sleeveless in a no-no especially to a religious wedding.
A wrap should be brought to cover bare shoulders.

Proper etiquette for Wedding Guests

* Never be late! Try to attend at least 15 minutes before the stated start time
of the wedding ceremony. This will give you time to be get settled and find a
seat.

* Guests should avoid taking photographs of the wedding. Professionals
photographers have already been hired and it is important to preserve the
sanctity of the ceremony.

* Bringing a gift during the wedding day is not required. Guests actually a
full year to send their wedding gift to the couple. Bringing it will only
create a problem for someone assigned to carry it.

* The gift is still a must even if you fail to attend the wedding.

* Bringing will only be allowed if it is specified in the invitation. Serving
every person in the wedding reception will likely be expensive for the couple.
Bringing uninvited guests is very rude.

* The wedding reception may be nice time to have fun having too much fun is
very impolite. Avoid getting drunk and mingling too much people you barely know.

Making The Wedding Etiquette Announcements

Beginning on the day he proposed, there are certain wedding etiquette
announcements to be observed. The couple should be aware of these wedding
etiquette announcements or else wedding could fall into jeopardy.

There are wedding etiquette announcements to be observed when breaking the news
to the parents. First, let the people closest to you know of your plans. The
groom must ask the bride's parents for her hand in marriage. It is traditional
that men do wedding etiquette announcements to both families but modern times
have changed this. Now, both of them can make the wedding etiquette
announcements together personally.

The wedding etiquette announcements for friends can be personally by the
couple. They can also plan a party for both their friends and turn it into an
engagement party. The couple on this event can choose their maid of honor and
best man.

Wedding etiquette announcements for sponsors should be done personally with the
help of the parents. The sponsors can be chosen by influence, convenience,
prestige, or by relationship. The important thing to remember is to get them to
commit in being your sponsors and list them down in your planner.

The wedding etiquette announcements for wedding details can be overwhelming,
which is why most couples hire a wedding coordinator. If your budget can fit in
the fee for this person's services, hire them. It will greatly lift the pressure
of planning, organizing and supervising the entire event.

The maid of honor often performs wedding etiquette announcements for the bridal
shower. The bridesmaids, mother and other women family members are invited to
chip in and join the event. Depending on what they have prepared, the bride can
expect something as elegant as a garden tea party or wild as a trip to the local
men's strip joint.

The best man makes the wedding etiquette announcements for the bachelor party
or stag party. Stag parties require little preparation since most parties only
require five things: the groom, food, drinks, music and entertainment. The
entertainments have wedding etiquette announcements of using either a stripper
or just a regular DVD player and watching x-rated movies.

There is a third option of making wedding etiquette announcements for a
"couple" shower. Friends of both the bride and groom organize and celebrate
this event. The best choice for this is to have a themed party, something with
fantasy on it like a masque ball or have it done like Carmen Elektra and her
husband Dave of Inxs where it was one big stripper party.

The wedding preparations:

The wedding etiquette announcements for the flowers should be booked months in
advance. The same goes for the caterer, the arranger and the musicians. If the
couple decides to hire a wedding coordinator, this will be an easier job for
them.

The wedding etiquette announcements for the dress fitting is should also be
made weeks in advance. Any adjustments to the dress can be done as the wedding
date comes closer. For the men, their clothes are classic pieces so it is no
problem for the coordinator. However, it is a must that the groomsmen have a
neat hair cut prior to the wedding.

The photography and video documentation needs of the couple should be provided
by the coordinator. As a rule, wedding etiquette announcements for photo and
video coverage of the wedding can be open to bidders. This way they couple can
sample the best work and hire the one they like most at a price that they can
handle.

On the wedding event:

Within weeks of the big day, the wedding etiquette announcements for
invitations should have already been mailed. Along with it are the wedding
etiquette announcements regarding the attire, program, location of the wedding
and a map to the reception.

The wedding etiquette announcements for the wedding program at the ceremony is
usually printed and given to the guests as they arrive at the church. The
couple can skip this if they prefer an informal ceremony.

With the solemnity of church celebration over, it is now time for everyone to
relax at the reception. There is still another program in the event but most of
it is well-wishes, thanksgiving and entertainment for everyone who attended the
wedding.

Much Ado About Wedding Envelopes

When preparing for a wedding, the first thing the soon-to-be-wed couple will
have to pay attention to is the guest list. It will be advisable to make a
comprehensive and complete guest list before planning for the reception so you
will have the rough estimate how many people might show up.

After the guest list was completed, the couple should start making or composing
the wedding invitation. There are dozens of wedding etiquettes that cover this
particular aspect of wedding preparation.

When preparing the wedding invitation, please bear in mind that your
invitations will create a first impression of the coming wedding among the
guests.

Good invitations, or those that adhere to acceptable wedding etiquettes, will
create the impression or idea that the couple is caring for the guests and are
valuing them as to inviting them to take part in the important occasion.

Preparing the wedding invitation

Most of today's wedding invitations are prepared by professional printers. Some
are part of packages offered by wedding planners.

Wedding invitations should be carefully and tastefully worded so the message
would be effectively conveyed. Paying attention to even the smallest details in
the invitation can make a really significant difference on how the invitation
will be received by the recipients.

This particular section will focus on one aspect in wedding invitation
preparation that most couples often neglect---the addressing envelope.

Envelopes

Addressing envelopes are often not paid much attention to because most couples
and wedding organizers think guests will not pay particular attention to them.

It can be true. There are some guests that pay no attention or do not care
about the general presentation and appearances of addressing envelopes. But
there are a significant few that do care about how invitations' envelopes are
addressed.

For a start, we know that for every person, the sweetest sound or word is his
or her own name. Thus, it often annoys them when people misspell their names.

In adherence to traditional and practical wedding etiquette, make sure that the
addressing envelope bears correctly spelled names. Titles to people should also
be mentioned and addressed in the envelope. Doctors would like to be called as
one, as well as engineers, architects, lawyers and priests.

Wedding etiquettes for addressing envelopes also urge that couples or wedding
invitation makers should spell out everything. Even titles in envelopes should
be spelled out. Thus, Doctor is written instead of Dr.; Engineer is written
instead of Engr; and Attorney is written instead of Atty.

Zip codes in addresses in envelopes for wedding invitations should not be
hyphenated. Of course, practically, the addresses written in the envelopes
should be accurate, or else, the invitation will be returned to you.

As for children, their names are not usually written in envelopes for wedding
invitations. Wedding etiquettes for addressing envelopes have it that only the
parents' name are mentioned in the envelope.

For guests with no definite professional titles, do not forget to put Mr., Ms.,
or Mrs. before their names. This is a universal gesture that indicates respect
to the person.

Inner envelopes

For aesthetic rather than practical reasons, some wedding invitations include
inner envelopes. According to existing wedding etiquettes, inner envelopes are
not a no, no, but they are not also required.

Wedding invitations can get away with it. However, inner envelopes certainly
make for much better presentation. They may cost a little more, though.

The aim of inner envelopes is to clearly state or reiterate who exactly is
invited to the wedding. Children's names are never mentioned in the address
envelope, but in inner envelopes, they can be mentioned.

In accordance to wedding etiquettes, inner envelopes also may appear less
formal. Names and titles can be abbreviated.

Wedding invitations herald good news

Yes, wedding invitations are the herald or bearer of the good news. In wedding
etiquette books, experts say the invitation should be considered a gift coming
from the soon-to-be-wed couple to their beloved guests.

Wedding invitations are tokens of appreciation by the couple to their friends,
families and relatives who have played significant roles in their lives. Make
every wedding invitation count for that reason.

Sending Thank You Notes to Wedding Guests

After the wedding is over and the hot steamy honey moon is almost done, you
will have to pause and think about the people who showed up to your wedding day.

Thinking of those people will never be sufficient. Adhering to wedding
etiquettes, you should appreciate them and show your appreciation through a
material token.

That is where thank you notes come into the picture. Wedding experts and
society or lifestyle gurus advise married couples to send out tokens of
appreciation or simple thank you notes to their wedding guests at least two
weeks after the event.

Thank you notes should or must be sent especially for those friends or guests
who showed up with wedding gifts. Wedding etiquette will also have you send
thank you notes to people who were not able to come to the wedding, but sent in
their gifts, or even to people you have invited but did not show up at all and
did not even bother to buy you any gift.

To outdo wedding etiquettes, it would be better if the couple will send out
personalized thank you notes. If it would not be too expensive, thank you notes
bearing pictures of the couple with the particular guest would be a really,
really good gesture of sincere appreciation.

It is not against wedding etiquettes to buy thank you note templates, but be
sure to personalize it by adding your personal hand written notes of
appreciation. Some couples also prepare thank you notes along with wedding
invitations to save time and money.

When you opt to do this, just be sure you order enough or plenty of extra
copies to so you will never run out in case too many people show up.

Etiquette when writing thank you notes

A couple of do's and don'ts will help you get away from troubles that may arise
in writing wedding thank you notes. It is not enough that you show up efforts to
sincerely thank and appreciate the presence and gifts accorded to your romantic
wedding.

Wedding etiquettes have it that thank you notes should be written
appropriately. Even the paper used for the notes should be written on white or
ivory-colored paper. Some couple prefer to have their thank you notes
monogrammed, but others feel its just okay if everything is handwritten.

Here are some guidelines that adhere to wedding etiquettes when it comes to
sending out thank you notes:

* Remember to send thank you notes to relatives and people who coordinated
showers and parties for the both of you. It would be okay if you thank them for
the efforts within the same card sent to them for their gifts.

* Wedding etiquettes suggest that you appreciate each gift you have received.
That means each and every gift should be recognized through its own thank you
note. If a person sent you two gifts, for example, send two thank you notes for
each gift. The same treatment should be given to gifts received during the
shower or even stag party.

* Advanced wedding gifts or gifts that arrived before the wedding you must be
immediately responded to so you will never have the chance to forget sending
out thank you notes for them.

* It might be time and money saving, but it is not advisable to send out
preprinted thank you notes. Sending preprinted cards will give the person
receiving the thank you note the impression that his or her effort or gift was
not totally appreciated.

o Personalize your thank you note by handwriting the message. Warm but short
thank you notes are better than longer but non-personalized or insincere notes.

* Write your thank you note message in blue or black ink. It is for the simple
reason that the colors are far more readable.

* It is in accordance to proper wedding etiquettes that you put or include your
new return address on every thank you note you have sent. The recipients will
greatly appreciate the gesture if he or she is informed or posted of your new
and correct address.

* Never start the thank you note with the pronoun "I." To create a good and
lasting impression use "You" as often throughout the note instead of "I" or
"me."

Huge Love In Small Weddings

An elegant small wedding is one of the most beautiful weddings that can be
organized. The budget is not too high, the attendees are all relaxed and will
likely have a good time and nuances such as children running around and making
noise will be avoided. A wedding without too much frills makes sure that the
love between the couple is the focus of the ceremony.

Etiquette in a small wedding

ATTIRE: Guests are only advised to wear clothes comfortable to them. A dress
from a closet selection, a white one or even a sundress is appropriate for a
small wedding. A bridesmaid can wear a white dress or even a pantsuit. The
groom can go for khakis, or even jeans paired with a shirt and a sport coat.

SETTING: A small wedding can be held in a community center, a local park or
even your parents' backyard. Holding ceremonies in a unique location such as a
rooftop, a barn, an art gallery can clearly speak about the personalities of
the couple.

INVITATIONS: Invitations in a small wedding can be handwritten on handmade
paper. Send them like writing a note to a close friend. It is important to note
that attendees should be in casual attire.

FLOWERS: Simple bulbs such as hyacinths or tulips can serve as alternatives for
floral flower arrangements. Using these will generate huge savings for the
couple. Gerber diaries inserted in a flat container filled with wheat grass can
serve as an attractive centerpiece.

MENU: The menu of a small wedding can be very diverse. A party can be set a few
months before the wedding and the guests can be asked to bring their favorite
recipes. The couple can choose their favorites and use them as wedding food. It
is also good to acknowledge whose recipe it is by putting a label in front of
every dish. Besides a party, a barbeque or picnic fare can be held.

REGISTRY: Common retail stores such as Sears or Target can be used as gift
registries. Couples can specify what they want to receive in order to avoid the
usual gift of expensive China that will likely collect dust in a cabinet.

Costs, costs, costs

Tradition dictates that the bride's parents are responsible for paying off the
wedding regardless if it is small or big. However, expenses have become an
issue due to the challenging times. The etiquette in requesting for money is by
gathering both families and discussing how to share in the wedding expenses, as
the couple will unlikely have enough to cover all of their needs.

The budget will be a major basis on what type of wedding will be held. The
couple needs to meet with everyone who will be attending. However, the couple
cannot force their parents to shell out money that is not available.

Couples can make various compromises if their budget falls short. For example,
less expensive rings can be used. A more expensive replacement can be acquired
in the future. Some couples do not even have wedding rings at all. Those living
in a nice climate can have the reception at home and hire catering services. To
help control costs, a butler can be tasked to pass around hors d' oeuvres and
refreshments.

The parents of the groom traditionally pay for the following items:

- Boutonnieres for groom's attendants - The bride's bouquet - Officiate fee or
donation - Rehearsal Dinner - Lodging and transportation expenses of the rabbi
or minister - Corsages for every family member - o Transportation of the Groom
and Best Man going to the wedding

Giving tips is a nice way of rewarding those that have given good service but
it is not a requirement. A tip given to a minister can be seen as a gift for
marrying the couple. Tips can be given to servers, drivers and musicians but
still, this is not a requirement.

The etiquette in service fees

Couples should make sure that they are comfortable with the people that are
helping in the wedding whether it is the wedding experts, the photographer and
even the florists. They should share the same vision on how the wedding should
come out and not merely focus on how much money will spent.

A couple may receive possibly the lowest price but if the rendered service does
not meet what was promised, the value is useless, even if it is a small wedding.

Exercising Proper Wedding Etiquette

There comes a time when the any couple decides to commit themselves to one
another and express this by getting married. Along with family and friends, all
those who care for them share their wedding day.

Proper wedding etiquette is required for different aspects of the wedding. From
taking care of the invitations, to the transportation, reception details,
location and the church, everything has a corresponding proper wedding
etiquette to follow.

The engagement:

Proper wedding etiquette should already be observed during the engagement. The
news should be announced to immediate family first. A gathering of both
families should be arranged. Proper wedding etiquette dictates that if either
one has not met each other's parents; they should break the news to one family
at a time.

As for friends, the proper wedding etiquette is to announce to them personally
after the family.

The wedding preparations:

The wedding theme is the first thing the couple must agree upon since all the
details following it will be affected. If the couple chooses a beach wedding,
proper wedding etiquette says that everything will be patterned after that.
There are wedding planners who can coordinate everything for the couple and is
a great help for the bride and groom in organizing their special day.

The question of when and where the wedding will be held is an important topic
to consider. The couple must also decide what kind of ceremony they want to
have. Will it be a church wedding or a civil one? The proper wedding etiquette
is to consult the religious preference of the couple. Sometimes even if they
share the same religion, a couple can still insist on the informality of a
civil wedding.

The location for the reception is the next thing to decide on. As proper
wedding etiquette, the couple must be considerate of the guests. Proper wedding
etiquette dictates that the reception area should be close to the wedding
location so that the guests and the couple won't be too tired when they get
there.

Transportation is another factor to consider. Apart from the bridal car, it is
proper wedding etiquette to provide for those who have no cars from the wedding
location to the reception area. The couple can ask guests beforehand on who will
bring their own transportation so they can estimate how many automobiles they
will have to hire for the group.

The reception details:

Of course, a big part of this event is the reception. Even though the
atmosphere is more informal, one cannot forget the proper wedding etiquette of
having a program. It should really be about the couple, wishes from their
family and guests, a time for gratitude and a celebration of the new life ahead
for the newlyweds.

The menu, cake, table decor, centerpieces, sound system, and entertainment
should be arranged months beforehand. The proper wedding etiquette is to follow
the allotted time frame for each element. All of this will entirely depend on
the couple's taste and budget.

The dresses:

Proper wedding etiquette for any traditional wedding is a white gown for the
bride and a favored color for the bridesmaids, entourage and sponsors. However,
times have changed and other color palettes are now available for the bride.

The groom and groomsmen usually do not have trouble with their clothes since
they wear what is appropriate to the theme and whatever the couple has decided
on for the design.

The budget:

All this preparation will go to waste if the couple cannot provide for any of
the wedding items. As proper wedding etiquette, the question of who will pay
for what is divided between the bride and groom's family.

Traditionally, the proper wedding etiquette is for the bride's family to pay
for the reception costs, the church fees, the groom's rings, the invitations,
flowers for the ceremony and reception, music, transportation and lodging for
the bride's party. The groom's side takes care of the rehearsal dinner, the
bride's ring, clergy or officiator's fee the bride's bouquet the flowers for
the entourage, transportation and lodging for the groom's party.

Nowadays, a couple can decide what obligations they will handle. But the proper
wedding etiquette is to share the expenses, as this will be the sign of their
future together.

It is tough job to handle all the wedding details but proper wedding etiquette
must be observed at all times. Sometime we tend to forget these simple but very
important gestures. We must realize that by following proper wedding etiquette,
we help make the event more elegant and memorable.

Proper Wedding Etiquette At Rehearsal Dinners

Most couples who are about to get married face the problem of staging a
rehearsal dinner because they have no idea of the proper wedding etiquette at
rehearsal dinners.

This articles hopes to provide some enlightenment to the couple regarding the
proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinner. Enumerated below are some of the
usual questions that couples ask regarding the proper wedding etiquette at
rehearsal dinners.

Though rehearsal dinner planning is making couples go crazy, they need not
worry, a few rules to observe is all they need before actually staging the
rehearsal dinners.

The Guest List

Couples must remember that there are really no rules involved in staging a
rehearsal dinner. The proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners is as plain
as the wedding day itself.

Firstly, the proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners suggests that the
couple choose wisely and pick out the members of their guest list. It is really
up to them who they will invite.

The proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners really has no restrictions as
to how many the guests are. It can be simple as the couple only, can include
their immediate families, and also those guests at their wedding party with
their spouses or their significant others.

The proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners also has no regulations on
what a couple intends to lay-out a motif or theme for their rehearsal dinner.
Either they make it a bash or they can invite all their out-of-town guests.

A rehearsal dinner is a very good chance or opportunity to be able to maximize
what quality time that you have with your visiting friends and your relatives.
Proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners suggest this as the most proper
time to be able to chat with your friends and relatives, unlike the wedding day
itself, rehearsal dinners give the couples more relaxing and quiet time.

The proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners also advises couples not to
worry about not having the proper surprise for them. The guests usually do not
go to the actual ceremony rehearsal. The ceremony is usually for the wedding
party and their parents.

The Fiance's Family

Sometimes, the family of a fiance has no idea that they are supposedly hosting
the rehearsal dinner. Usually the parents can not afford all of it and still
suggest the couple invite everyone to go to a catered party.

The proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners are usually recommending that
the family of the fiance shoulder all the expense for the rehearsal dinner. Most
people are ignorant of this rule, however, they should be properly notified of
this proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners.

The proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners also tells us that it is not
advisable not to invite the families. The couple must note that no matter who
or what they are, they are still the fiance's parents and will soon near enough
be the in-laws.

No matter what they have done or they act. A couple must remind themselves to
start off on the correct foot by giving out invitation to the fiance's family.
Trouble might brew if they will not be included in the rehearsal dinner.

The proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners suggest that though the
fiance's parents does not realize that they are the ones who should be hosting
the rehearsal dinner, its up to the couple to bring the subject up.

The couple can always opt to host the dinner themselves. The proper wedding
etiquette at rehearsal dinners can remind them that the rehearsal dinner does
not have to be a big rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner can be as big as a
take home pizza party or simple grilling burgers at the backyard.

The proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners reminds couples to look at
the situation as a possible way to kick back just before the wedding. The
couple must instead concentrate on the family, on each other and the wedding
party.

The proper wedding etiquette at rehearsal dinners also can be said that
rehearsal dinners are a good time to present the guests with the thank you
gifts.

Instead on dwelling on what the parents might do during the rehearsal dinner,
the couple must instead be happy that at this very special moment of their
life, their families are together.

A True Gift Of Love: The Wedding Gift

Giving plenty of gifts to a newly betrothed couple has been tradition for many
centuries and is the main reason why the wedding gift business has remained
profitable despite changing business conditions. A wedding gift is a tangible 
representation of support and love for the couple to help them start their new 
life on a positive note.

Wetting etiquette dictates that guests officially invited to the wedding
ceremony and reception are required to send a gift, regardless they attend or
not. However, those invited but live very far and have not been in close
contact with the couple for several years have the option not to follow the
tradition.

A guest requested to attend a shower should present a gift but does not have to
if he/she cannot attend the event. A close family member of friend will likely
send something despite not attending.

Engagement gifts are never compulsory but have started to become a requirement
in some parts of the world. A guest who is not sure whether or not to present a
gift to an engagement party may consult the hosts for guidance.

Ideal wedding gifts can range from expensive china, gift certificates, camping
equipment, gardening tools and household appliances. Choosing a gift should be
an enjoyable activity except for those "shopping-challenged". The gift registry
is very helpful in determining what to give the couple. Starting to become
popular is the move of couples registering gifts with two or more retail
stores, online shops or even brokerage houses and travel agents. Registry
information is informally spread to guests and should not be inserted in a
wedding invitation.

Putting a gift registry in an invitation is major turnoff for guests, as it
will give more focus on the gift and less on the thought of inviting to the
wedding. The guest's should have the choice whether to give a gift. Sometimes
the most memorable and sentimental gifts are those carefully picked surprises.

Normally, should be delivered to the bride's home before the wedding addressed
to her. Gifts sent after the wedding should be addressed to the couple's new
home or the house of the bride's parents. Some cultures require the gift to be
brought to the wedding home instead of sending it ahead of the ceremony.

Guests may send the gifts immediately after they receive the invitation. Doing
this gift giving practice will spare the couple from worrying about how to
transport huge packages coming from the reception site.

Proper etiquette dictates that the couple should immediately write a thank-you
note to the sender upon receiving the wedding gift and before the fourth month
after the wedding at the most.

FAQ's on proper wedding etiquette on gift giving

When does the gift should be sent?

The gift for the bride should be given before the wedding or shortly after the
couple. If the gift cannot be sent anytime soon, it must be sent before three
months after the ceremony. This goes against hearsay that it can be sent even
shortly before the first year anniversary of the newlyweds.

Are the gift options limited to those listed in the registry?

No, a registry only serves as a guide for the gift giver. Any wedding gift will
as long as it comes from the heart.

Is there an ideal budget for a wedding gift?

The budget is entirely up to the gift giver. One's love for the bride and groom
should serve as the basis on how much a gift should cost.

Is money an appropriate gift?

Money is the traditional gift in some cultures. Giving a gift certificate to
their favourite store is a nice option if you are comfortable giving cash.

What if I did not receive a thank you note from the bride and groom?

While it is an awkward thing to do, the best move is by calling the bride and
groom and asking if they have received your wedding gift. If the gift came from
a store, call your contact salesperson and verify if your purchase was delivered
on time and to the right recipients. Become concerned only if the thank you note
does not arrive within three months after the wedding.

Glory At Morning Weddings

A good advice for making a wedding romantic and truly special is to make the
ceremony debt-free and low-key as possible. Couples should save their money and
not pay much attention to wedding advices features in magazines. Love is
basically between the couple that will be getting married so its best they
focus on each other.

A morning wedding followed by a luncheon reception is ideal, as it will give
the couple enough time for their honeymoon, starting a new life and have enough
energy to perform immediate post-wedding activities. Over 200 guests waiting at
an expensive sit-down dinner will not add anything special to the romance.

A morning wedding will also help the couple save money and their eager energy
and more than half a day to savor the moment of finally getting hitched.

Etiquette in a morning wedding

A morning wedding can be formal, semi-formal or informal. The bride can be
outfitted with a short wedding dress or suit. In a formal morning wedding, the
bride's gown should touch the floor and veil fingertip or slightly below the
middle knuckle of the mid finger. A fingertip veil becomes more attractive when
it is used with an elbow length blusher. For a semi-formal morning wedding, the
gloves and blusher veils are optional.

The groom's attire is typically composed of a business, sportcoat or morning
suit in accordance to the level of formality. In a semi-formal morning wedding,
proper etiquette dictates that the groom can sport a dark stroller or suit
without black or gray tails. In a formal wedding, a morning suit, which is
composed of gray pinstripe trousers, ascot, gray vest and a cutaway coat, is
suffice. The groom also has the option to wear a tuxedo if he wants to.

The groom and bride's attire should complement each other. If the bride is
wearing a casual short wedding dress, then the groom should wear a business
suit or sportcoat instead of a tuxedo.

Regardless whether the wedding is during the morning or late in the evening,
there is a certain etiquette that should be followed in the ceremony.

- Bridesmaids and groomsmen should assist in the ceremonies if the morning
wedding is not held strictly in private.

- The bridesmaids should not have dresses that is not too eye-catching but will
match the wedding dress. In addition, they should be younger than the bride. The
dresses can contain more ornaments and should consist of light, graceful fabric.
Flowers should serve as the main decoration.

- The wedding dress should be simple but elegant and can be decorated with few
ornaments or jewels that come from the parents or the bridegroom. The dress
needs to have an attractive veil and garland.

- The bride needs to be assisted by her bridesmaids in wearing the wedding
dress, receiving visitors and locate themselves at her left side. The first
bridesmaid for easy access should keep the bouquet and gloves.

- The clergyman should be received by the groomsmen and led to the couple that
will be married. They will also serve as assistants for the bridegroom, during
the occasion.

- Guests should wear something light and fresh. A breezy dress or a
light-colored suit would be appropriate. Those who are fond of hats are in luck
in a morning wedding, as wearing one will complement the ease and energy of the
ceremonies. Dark suits and dresses should be avoided.

The Wedding Breakfast

If the bride appears during breakfast proper etiquette dictates that she sits
beside her husband at the center table, while the father and mother occupy the
top to bottom and greets the guests coming in. Once the cake has been cut and
every one has eaten, which include offering a toast to the new couple and
giving acknowledgements, the bride and groom meet with their friends and
eventually exit from the ceremony.

The newly-married couple can start in their wedding journey at around two or
three o'clock, while the rest of the guests and family member depart from the
reception area shortly after.

Miss Manners on Wedding Etiquette for Brides

Emily Post is the well known Miss Manners on Wedding Etiquette. But there are
many Wedding Etiquette specialists these days that followed Ms. Emily Post's
footstep and became Miss Manners themselves. If you are getting married anytime
soon and you want to know some tips from Miss Manners on Wedding Etiquette, 
here are some Wedding Etiquette basics for you, the blushing bride.

* On Wedding Dress

Miss Manners says Wedding Etiquette of our age is not very strict anymore.
Today, Miss Manners allows brides to wear non-conventional color for a wedding
gown. Aside from ultra white, creme, and beige, Miss Manners says that it is
not against Wedding Etiquette to wear pastel colored wedding gown, especially
if the wedding is a Destination Wedding. For a beach wedding, brides can now
wear turquoise or aquamarine colored wedding dress to match the color of the
dress with the aqua-blue freshness of the sea waters.

* On Wedding Shoes

Miss Manners says Wedding Etiquette allows brides to wear open toed and ankle
strap wedding shoes. According to the modern Miss Manners too, white is not
anymore the basic color for wedding shoes. You can go with beige, creme, ivory
or even red to match an ultra white wedding gown.

Miss Manners says that shoes should be comfortable and stylish. Rhinestones are
good and does not defy Wedding Etiquette. But for the sake of taste, Miss
Manners recommends that brides should go for less ornamented shoes.

* On Announcing the Engagement

Miss Manners says that first time brides may announce their engagement in
newspapers or if they have the fortune to host an engagement ball, then they
can announce the engagement in the said party. If you do not have the money to
throw an engagement party, Miss Manners says that you can announce your
engagement to close family and friends during a dinner.

For second wedding, Miss Manners recommend to brides with second marriage to
talk to their children first before making the public announcement. Then the
next person that they should talk to is their parents before the ex-spouse.
Miss Manners says that a bride, who does not have any child from her ex-spouse,
fails to tell her ex about her engagement does not violate a Wedding Etiquette.
According to Miss Manners, the bride have no obligation to her ex-spouse unless
they have a children of which they have joint custody.

* On Who to Invite

Miss Manners says that it is the bride and the groom and the host (in case the
parents will co-host the wedding) has the say on who are or who are not to
invite. But the last say, for Wedding Etiquette's sake, is always upon the lips
of the bride and the groom since it is their big day and it is them who are the
center of attention.

If the bride or the groom don't prefer to invite an ex-boyfriend who is one of
the best employee of the bride's father, then the bride's father cannot command
her daughter to invite the old flame even if it is the bride's father who have
hosted the wedding.

* On Wedding Registry and Cash Gifts

Miss Manners says no to Cash Gifts. Asking for cash gifts is a Wedding
Etiquette blunder. Miss Manners says that asking for cash gifts makes the bride
and groom look greedy. Even if the couples want to donate the cash gifts to
charity, Miss Manners is still against for couple who will plead for cash
gifts. Whichever way one may look at it, people will think that couples who ask
for cash gifts have a mark of greed on their foreheads.

Wedding Registry card is okay to Miss Manners, except that you should not
insert the registry card on the invitation. Better put up an online registry
and tell your guests, through your wedding invitation that a registry is
currently online for those who wish to give the couple gifts under the couple's
wishlists.

This way, according to Miss Manners, Wedding Etiquette is preserved and you
won't look too pushy to your guests.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette

A wedding of an acquiantance is going to be held some time soon. You are now
thinking of what gift you should give the newly wed. But do you know that there
are gift giving wedding etiquette? Yes, there is such a thing. If you are
contemplating on giving cash as a gift, read on first the gift giving cash
wedding etiquette before you do such a move.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 1:

If a guest who receive an invitation can't make it to the wedding, they are not
obligated to send gifts and much more cash gifts. Wedding etiquette dictates,
however, that those who are unable to attend should send a congratulatory card
for the groom or for both couples or a simple best wishes note to the bride.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 2:

Cash gifts or any gift items may be sent to the bride or groom's home before
the wedding or to the couple's new home one year afterwards. This is a way of
guests to lessen the burden to the newlyweds, such as how would they transport
heavy gift items. Couple need not worry about renting a truct to transport the
gifts to their new home. Also, your cash gift will be a great help to couples
within their first year of marriage who are still in the stage of raising their
own savings.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 3:

Giving cash gifts are not a violation of wedding etiquette. Couples need cash
as a start up money for them. They need to rent a new apartment, bigger than
their bachelor pad, if any of them has one, buy toiletries and groceries for
the two of them, buy appliances and furniture that the two of them needs. These
are just few among the many expenses that a couple would face in the first few
months of their marriage which is why gift giving cash is a good idea to do and
does not violate any wedding etiquette.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 4:

So how much should you give if you decide to give the couple cash as a gift?

It is a horrible idea that the amount or price of one's wedding gift should
equate to what the couples had spent on your dinner at the wedding reception.
It is untrue. You can give as much as you want and as less as you want, if your
budget is really tight. But in gift giving cash wedding etiquette, a guest's
transportation does not count as a cash gift to the couple.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 5:

Also, don't stop yourself from giving cash gifts if the couple has listed their
preferred wedding gifts in registry. Buying gifts from the wedding registry list
are optional; you can either give the couple the gift of their choice or don't.

So, the gift giving cash wedding etiquette fact # 5 is that you can give cash
gifts eventhough the couples have a wedding registry.

Here are gift giving cash wedding etiquette for couples:

Wedding registries are gaining popularity these days. But there are limitations
on how much the bride and groom may direct gift giving. Gift giving cash is a
wedding etiquette violation. You should not tell your guests that you prefer
cash than gift items or request donations in cash to pay up a mortgage or ask
them to give you cash to fund your honeymoon or that gift giving cash is
preferred because you will send the money to charity.

Whether you like it or don't asking for gift giving in cash will make you look
greedy, even if you claim that the money will go to charity. Also, your guests
will fell less generous.

Gift giving of cash is an option to guests. They may opt to give cash as a
wedding gift but wedding etiquette tells that you should not, ever, ask them
for gift giving of cash. You may use the cash gifts in anyway you want.

If the bride and groom receive cash from guests, accept it and say your thanks,
write them a thank you note the way you would do after opening a gift item.

How to be a Good Guest on Evening Weddings

Weddings were almost always held during daytime in the past. But like
evolution, the customs and norms on weddings have also evolved over time.

Most couples nowadays find evening weddings more romantic and ideal. Evening
weddings have increased popularity over time.

People see weddings, especially receptions as a perfect time to mingle with old
and new friends and generally socialize. However, only few know that several
wedding etiquettes do exist for evening weddings.

As for almost any issue hounding etiquettes on weddings, you will be surprised
how evening wedding etiquettes mainly revolve around the most basic issue and
concern on weddings--- attires.

For the bride and the groom, it is surprising that not much is expected during 
evening weddings. Evening weddings, according to several etiquette books and 
guides, should be treated as if they were daytime wedding. But take note, the 
case only applies to brides and grooms.

Being a nice and good guest, you are expected to follow several practical and
unwritten guidelines. You would not want to create a bad impression to people,
don't you?

To illustrate the most common dilemma encountered by guests, who really try
hard to be good guests, read on for a sample situation that you may have
encountered in the past.

An evening wedding situation

Annie was invited to the wedding of a high school friend. The event poses a lot
of excitement to her because she sees it as an opportunity to touch base and
catch up with old high school friends.

Thus, Annie wants to make sure she will create a good and fashionable
impression on that night. She wants to show everyone how she has improved and
gotten prettier and foxier over the years.

However, one concerning factor about the wedding was that it is an evening
wedding. Annie has attended just a couple of evening weddings before, and those
were informal events, unlike this forthcoming one.

The invitation sent to her clearly and boldly emphasized that the guests are
expected to come in formal attire. Ahh, Annie thought. That would be to her
advantage. She will more exuberate radiance through a beautifully made gown.

The wedding night of her friend turned out to be disaster for Annie. Why?
Because with her utmost desire to 'dress to impress,' she found that she over
did it.

Annie wear a very beautiful and radiant fire-engine red gown. The dress
accentuated her figure, and no wonder, she was really beautiful.

If she was beautiful on her gown, what went wrong? What happened in the evening
wedding that made Annie want to run out instantly from the event?

Apparently, Annie unintentionally stole the bride's wedding thunder. Since she
came in flaming red and beautiful gown, all eyes were on her during the
wedding. Some people, to her dismay, also came to congratulate her, mistakenly
identifying her as the bride.

It can never be flattering. Not all eyes were smiling to Annie. The bride's
eyes were flaming red, with anger! All the bride's maids, and almost all the
ladies in the ceremony showed those disgusted and unwanting looks to Annie. She
thought, she should never have attended that evening wedding.

Dress for the occasion

Evening wedding invitations that bear the phrase "black tie optional,"
indicates that the evening wedding is meant to be a formal gathering and the
hosts intend the guests to appear formal.

Men are expected to appear in their tuxedos and women in their evening ball
gowns.

For the burden of the ladies, they should first find out about the wedding
colors and motifs before showing up at the wedding. Otherwise, they, for sure,
would not want to catch hot and daunting eyes during the entire ceremony until
the reception.

For the ladies, remember not over do it. Do not steal the thunder from the
bride. Do not out do the bride's maids, the maid of honors and the bride's mom
as well.

Dress down. Find a suitable color and design of the gown that can attract
attention, but not too much to the extent that all eyes are totally fixed on
you. Remember, it should be the bride who should stand out on her much-awaited
moment.

Destination Wedding Etiquette for Newlyweds

One of the most exciting things to happen in a person's life is the wedding.
Planning for a destination wedding will take a lot of work but the rewards can
be worth it. The first destination wedding etiquette is to consider who can
attend the wedding location.

Out of town weddings are preferred by couples as a way to lessen the number of
guests at the events. Sometimes, when the budget is concerned the destination
wedding etiquette is to set aside money for accommodations and transportation
for the immediate members of the family and entourage.

For the couple:

A destination wedding can be a fulfillment of their fantasy. When looking for
the best place to celebrate, look for these qualities:

* Accessibility -- the hotel and church or wedding location should be near the
reception area. This is a destination wedding etiquette in consideration for
the family and guests who need to freshen up before the reception.

* Package -- there are hotels or resorts that offer wedding packages. These are
discounted rates for a group bookings. Other may include the transportation. It
is a destination wedding etiquette to make sure everything is taken cared of.

* Price -- destination weddings can still be costly, especially if there is a
theme involved. However, the destination wedding etiquette regarding the
expenses are sorted out between the bride and groom.

The destination wedding requirements:

Pushing through with an out of town wedding can be demanding on the part of the
couple. The destination wedding etiquette is to make sure everything is in order
prior to the wedding date itself. Here are a few reminders:

* Check if your wedding location requires other legal documents to process the
wedding. The destination wedding etiquette is to arrange the papers beforehand.

* Is there a residency requirement? If so, the destination wedding etiquette is
to confirm the number of days required for the couple to stay in that location
to make their union legal.

* Medical tests for both parties should be taken. If the couple arrived a few
days earlier to the destination, they are open to the risk of getting a
disease. It is destination wedding etiquette to have themselves checked out by
doctors just to be on the safe side.

* Book everything in advance. Making the proper reservations for the hotel,
flowers, gowns, music, etc is a sign of prudent planning and a destination
wedding etiquette must.

For the guests:

The destination wedding etiquette dictates that you must bring a gift for the
newlyweds. A bridal registry is usually set-up for the convenience of the
couple and the guests. If the couple's asks for money instead of a gift,
discretely give your envelope to the family of the bride or groom. The key word
here is discrete. It would be breaking the destination wedding etiquette code if
one grandstands and announces their contribution.

Usually the invitation allows for at least one companion to the wedding. In
tagging along more than one companion, consider the destination wedding
etiquette of informing the couple beforehand. This will make it easier for them
to estimate the total number of plated for the reception.

Bringing along the children is fine for any destination wedding. But as much as
possible, keep the event as civilized as possible. The kids will only add to the
stress at a wedding and the destination wedding etiquette is to keep the number
of children down to a minimum.

Guests can turn the out of town wedding into a mini-vacation just by spending
their time together at the venue. However, it is essential destination wedding
etiquette to put the couple's day first before going off on your own romantic
weekend.

If the destination wedding is unfamiliar to you it is wise to do some research.
Not only will you be able to discover a new place but also you can really enjoy
your mini-vacation by visiting the tourists' spots. Remember, the destination
wedding etiquette is to indulge on this only after the wedding event.

For the family:

Both the bride and groom's family are an important part of the wedding. It is a
destination wedding etiquette that they all try to help make this event go as
smoothly as possible.

The couple can delegate their wedding tasks to the family to lessen the
pressure on the celebrants. It is only natural that the family steps forward
and take in as much responsibility as the can as a destination wedding
etiquette.

When all the hard work pays off at the wedding, the newlyweds will appreciate
everyone for making this the most memorable destination wedding of their lives.

Children and Weddings

Most of the romantic and ideal wedding scenes we have seen in movies involve
cute and huggable children. However, being the jolly, innocent and fun
creatures that they are, most often, weddings, at least in the movies,
involving children turn out to be hilarious and disastrously funny.

We know that children are always seeking fun and will not stop to entertain
themselves during boring hours. Children can not easily cope up and comprehend
the fun adults have on weddings. The occasion can be very boring to them.

When children get bored, they usher in trouble to adults. They can roam around,
throw cakes at people, fight with other kids or ruin things. These are fun to
them, but can be nightmares to adults, especially to brides and grooms during
weddings.

Children and invitations

Admit it. The sad reality is that more and more brides, and grooms as well, do
not like the idea that children will be coming over to their weddings.

Just the thought of crying children and children messing up with her gown and
that of the bride's maids make several brides throw up. Another sad fact is
that some parents are not very sensitive to the issue. They could not think and
understand how a bride could dislike cute and loveable kids in her wedding.

Wedding etiquette books and guides have it that the best way to exclude
children to the occasion is to mention it in the invitations.

According to most wedding etiquette books, brides and grooms who dislike kids
around their weddings can do two things: one, do not mention kids' names in the
invites; and two, spread the word that children are not wanted in the wedding.

The second option can be brutal, but it is nicer than having to control kids'
tantrums and annoying acts during weddings.

Because not all people understand and know wedding etiquettes, it is advisable
that at some occasions, the couple should be straight forward to inform the
guests before hand that the wedding would involve an 'adult reception.'

Frankly telling parents-guests that kids will not be welcome in the wedding can
also be a viable option. For some, the gesture will not be that polite, but
practicality will tell other wise. Every bride and groom wants solemnity for
their much- awaited moments. Understand that.

Another tactic to exclude children in wedding invitations is to mention the
number of seats reserved for a particular guest. For example, Mr and Mrs
Winterburg are reserved only two seats at the reception. That means, that Mr
and Mrs Winterburg's five kids do not have places in the wedding. They should
know that.

If the guests still fall clueless and insist on bringing along their children
with them, call them before the wedding and explain why children should not be
attending the wedding. Educate them a little about wedding etiquettes.

Wedding etiquettes for children's parents

For parents, if it is not mentioned in the wedding invitation that children are
not allowed to attend the wedding, and the couple and hosts did not call to
emphasize the idea, then it is safe to assume that you could tag along your
children.

However, be informed and bear in mind the simple wedding etiquettes for
parents. You would not want to ruin the wedding just because your kid suddenly
threw an act or suddenly threw a tantrum.

Assume the position of the bride and the groom. Think of how you would feel if
you were on their shoes, and children are creating scenes at your wedding. It
would not be pretty and cute, right?

Make the initiative to leave your kids at home, if you can help it, when you
attend the wedding. They could play around the house or watch the television or
do their stuff at home. They might get bored throughout the wedding ceremony and
spoil everything.

For those helplessly take along children with them on weddings, wedding
etiquette experts advise you to make the most of the opportunity. In other
words, make the occasion a venue or time for teaching the kids of simple and
practical wedding etiquettes.

Make the occasion a teachable moment by informing the kid that he or she should
behave through out the occasion just like how to adult guests behave.

This will be the best teaching occasion to shoe the kids how to act during
weddings, or train them about some table and social manners.

Moreover, wedding etiquettes tell us to learn from each wedding. For the
couple, on how to be good hosts. For guests, on how to be good guests and for
parents to be good teachers to their kids who are incidentally, also attending
the wedding.

Wedding Etiquette on Tipping and Other Lost Wedding Etiquette

Even in our modern times, wedding etiquette still survives. The wedding
etiquette that we have come to know dates back from the Victorian era.
Victorians are known for their education, intelligence, social grace and
manners.

The wedding etiquette on who should pay for the wedding has changed a bit
although the old Victorian wedding etiquette, the father of the bride should
host the wedding, is still being practiced today. Because of economic issues
and that both couples are already earning their own money, the bride and groom
today hosts their own wedding.

On social graces, some Victorian Wedding Etiquette still exists like having
bridesmaids and groomsmen on your wedding and throwing the bride's bouquet for
maidens to catch.

But on the issue of wedding etiquette on tipping, does tipping of the hat to
greet the newlyweds still exist?

Wedding Etiquette on tipping is an old Victorian social grace of which people
from many parts of Europe also do practice. But as time has passed, the
etiquette of tipping a hat to acknowledge a person or greet a newlywed is
becoming an obsolete etiquette.

One of the reasons, according to some wedding etiquette specialists, is that
the modern clothing has excluded hat as part of fashion. So, how would a person
do a tipping when there is no hat to beging tipping with?

American formal clothing does not include a hat, unlike in some European
countries, a hat is still part of their fashion. This is the reason why the
wedding etiquette on tipping from some European countries is still being
practiced.

Wedding etiquette on tipping is not a big issue anymore in American society. In
fact, most wedding etiquette books that we have now do not mention anything
about wedding etiquette on tipping nor they have mentioned anything about it
being an old custom of the American society.

But there are couples who wish that their guests would practice the wedding
etiquette on tipping. These couples are those who celebrate their wedding with
a Victorian era wedding theme, or the 1950's Casablanca theme of which fashion
from these years requires a hat to complete an ensemble.

Aside from wedding etiquette on tipping, another lost wedding etiquette on our
society is the choosing of bridesmaids younger than the bride and requiring
them to wear a dress similar as that of the bride.

Today, this wedding etiquette, just like the wedding etiquette on tipping is
completely lost. Brides now choose older and sometimes even married bridesmaid.
This is not being scorned today, but yesterday, during the time when wedding
etiquette on tipping is being practice, bridesmaids are young and really maiden.

The reason behind the Victorian wedding etiquette on young and maiden
bridesmaids came from the old belief that a devil is tasked to abduct brides
during their wedding day so that he could have her for himself before her groom
can take her. The bridesmaids acted as decoy, being maiden and wearing dress
that resembles the bride's dress will confuse the devil as to who is the real
bride.

This wedding etiquette has been passed on from generation to generation until
it evolved and became the wedding etiquette that we have now. According to
wedding etiquette specialists, this practice has long been forgetten because
people, through time, has become modernized and become less superstitious.
Besides, the bride can now have her favorite sister or best friend, even if she
is older than her or married, to be at her side on her very special day.

There are still lots of wedding etiquettes before that have been changed to fit
our current culture and society. In fact, some of the modern wedding etiquette
we have now may also become oblete in time, like the way the wedding etiquette
on tipping and wedding etiquette on bridesmaids that our culture had before.

Wedding Etiquette: How Stepmothers Should Act

We have seen on movies and television shows, especially the soap operas, the
dagger look that the biological mother and the stepmother cast at each other.
And we laugh at them when they spit out their sarcastic lines, with the episode
ending up in a slapping scene.

This matter is not laughable; not at all. This incident do happen in real life:
biological mother or father fighting up for the first pew on the church against
the stepmother or stepfather of their child or who should do the father and
daughter dance.

Having a wicked stepmother for a stepmom most of the time happens only in fairy
tales. In real world, stepmothers do get along with their stepdaughters and
stepsons.

If you are among those brides who dearly love their stepmothers and biological
mothers too but the two just can't seem to meet in the middle, don not let
yourself be caught in the middle of a cat fight. There are wedding etiquette
for stepmothers in case you are looking for one. Just try to know some of these
wedding etiquette for stepmothers and you will be assured that you won't slight
the two persons dear to your heart.

-- Wedding Etiquette for Stepmothers: Seating Arrangement

If your mother and stepmother have not spoken in ten years and seating them
three seats apart can already spark a friction and eventually a heated
argument, how should you seat the two of them without hurting anyone's feelings?

For a start, take the time to have a heart-to-heart talk to each of them during
the planning stage of your wedding. Ask your mother to be in her best manner
possible, and when you talk to your stepmother, include your father in the
talk. Your stepmother might get offended if you talk to her alone about
behaving herself on the wedding. She might interpret that you are lecturing her.

Although your stepmother would have probably known wedding etiquette for
stepmothers, it is still for the best if you talk out to her about some of the
basics. But in doing so, avoid sounding authoritative. Say that she is dear to
you but wedding etiquette dictates that she should be seated in this chair or
that chair or that she and your father should be seated on the next pew at the
church.

is with each of them ahead of time -- perhaps include your father in the
stepmother talk -- to solicit their "good behavior." If you keep saying how
important it is to you that they make every effort to put animosity aside on
this one special day, it's hard to imagine that they would cause any problems.

Some etiquette guidelines do exist to help you: In most cases, when the bride's
parents are divorced, the parent with whom she lived after the divorce (or the
one she's closer to) sits in the first pew during the ceremony. This is often,
but not always, the mother, who is joined by her husband, if she is remarried,
and her immediate family. Either directly behind the mother's contingent (which
might fill the first two or three pews) or a few rows away, come the bride's
father, stepmother, and his immediate family.

There are practical divorced-parent guidelines for the reception, too. Use
assigned seating, with the tables for your mother and stepmother a safe
distance apart. I'm sure that on the big day, your sensitivity will be
appreciated by all.

Becoming a Fashionable and Graceful Stepmom on Weddings

We have wedding etiquettes left and right tackling a number of issue related to
weddings. But modifications have to be made because times have also changed.

Centuries or decades ago, husbands and wives are stuck to each other for life,
in sickness and in health. But nowadays, everything has changed. Most of the
parents now are divorced by the time the marriage reaches its tenth year.

That is why modern weddings are further complicated with the emergence of
stepmothers. Yes, almost every bride or groom in town has a stepmother.

But the problem is, how are stepmothers dealt with during weddings. From this
cue, let us focus on stepmothers.

Stepmothers are usually portrayed as wicked and evil, just in the case of Snow
White and Cinderella. But in reality, stepmothers are also human. Most of them
are really kind and good-hearted, and some are even better, when it comes to
the personality department, than real mothers.

Being a Stepmother

If you are a stepmother, the simplest and most basic ethic you should adopt
when your step daughter or step son gets married is to take the back seat.

The principal and most basic issue that hounds stepmothers during step
daughter's or step son's weddings is the attire. Focus on that, and be amazed
at how every issue and dispute is covered by the issue on attire.

Traditionally, during weddings, it is the bride's mom that decides on
everything. The first and basic concern for each wedding is the wedding gown.
Biological mothers have all the right to intervene and decide on that.

Take not that in adherence to traditional and appropriate wedding etiquettes,
the groom's mom, the bridesmaids and the maid of honor will have to take the
fashion cue from the bride's mother.

In other words, the bride should stand out in the wedding. Her mom will have to
stand out next to her. No one ever will have or be given the chance to steal
their thunders.

It is in this part that the stepmother takes the backseat. To be nice and
courteous, just adhere and agree to the bride's mom' fashion statement. If you
are a stepmother, your attire during the wedding should never outdo that of the
bride or that of the bride's mother.

Doing otherwise will divert attention from the two stars of the moment to you.
And that will lead to serious encounters and problems. Do not spoil your step
daughter's or step son's wedding just so you can stick out and flash your
unique and sensible fashion statement.

Your attire should only be complimentary, in style and in color, to those of
the bride's, the mom's, the maid of honor's and the bridesmaids.

Stepmothers during the wedding

The stepmother's sacrifice in the attire department does not stop there. Most
stepmothers should be canonized as saints especially if they patiently survive
step son's or step daughter's wedding.

In throwing up receptions, stepmothers' attires should still be underdog
compared to the bride's and the mom's. Take note, adhere to this wedding
etiquette even if you husband pays for the entire wedding. You will not want to
arouse his ex-wife's temper. For sure.

During the ceremony, the stepmother, with her dress-down attire, does not
normally sit beside the bride's or groom's father. It is still the biological
mother that has the right. Stepmothers are usually seated two to three rows
back of the groom's or bride's parents.

In several cases, wedding organizers not only advise stepmothers to tone down
their attire, they also advise stepmothers to seat where the original wife
could not see them. This is to avoid two moms from throwing cake at each other.

If you are a stepmother and you are of the same age, or younger than, as the
bride, do not, repeat, do not attend the wedding. You might attract scandals.
If you have been the cause of the break up between the bride's or groom's mom
and husband, the warnings should be utmost and more emphasized to you.

It is hard to be a stepmother, right? But understanding your position and
living it out with utmost fashion and grace will help you outshine the
occasion, even if you do not need it. You are not on the losing side. Besides,
you have your loving husband with you -- the proof and trophy for you being the
winner!

Assigning Seats During Weddings

Weddings are such tedious events that organizers assume too much
responsibilities, from creating the guest list, to putting out and distributing
invitations, down to making sure everyone is seated where he or she should be
during the ceremonies and in the reception.

Organizers should pay particular attention to this because putting a person to
the wrong company during weddings can start up a great and scandalous
commotion. Wedding etiquette guides advise organizers to know everyone first,
or at least do more research about personalities and backgrounds before
assigning seats.

Arch enemies would not want to seat beside each other even for a few minutes,
right? So be sensitive and particular to these and more issues.

Seating arrangement in the church

Wedding etiquettes always assume that weddings, as traditions have it, are
taking place inside churches. Or that ceremonies are church rites, at least.

Following proper wedding etiquettes, the family of the bride should be seated
on the left side and the groom's family on the right side of the venue. Yes,
the two families are segregated.

The couple's parents should sit in the first pew, before the other important
and significant guests. Seating arrangements in churches and other venues
should be marked by organizers so people will know where they should be seated.

Divorced parents

There are special cases when seating arrangements in weddings are altered.
However, the changes should still follow strict wedding etiquettes.

For one, if the parents are divorced, how will the organizer arrange seats for
them? Answer, if the parents of either the bride or the groom, or both, are
divorced, both mom and dad can be seated along the front row with their current
or new spouses. Flings and short-time girlfriends or boyfriends of parents are
excluded and should not be seated there.

If the parents' separation or divorce was a bitter one, and they still are not
civil with each other, then the mom and dad should be seated in separate pews
where they could hardly see each other.

It is the challenge for the wedding organizer to be creative, wise and
practical in assigning seat arrangements during weddings.

The mom should be guided to her seat in the first pew by an assigned usher. If
she remarried, her husband should walk just behind the mom and the usher. As a
rule in wedding etiquettes, at least during the ceremonies, he should let his
wife lead.

The bride's or groom's father should still escort or walk the bride or groom to
the aisle along with the mom. No place for step moms and step dads for this part.

In most weddings, organizers arrange a seat plan is such a way that step moms
and step dads are seated along with the grandparents or along with other
significant or very special guests.

Seating arrangements during weddings should also vary and change, depending on
the clergy and religion. Wedding etiquettes allow guests to inquire or ask
about the seating arrangements to the clergy.

The Reception

There are wedding etiquettes governing seating arrangements in the church
during the wedding ceremony. Of course, certain seating arrangements should
also be ethically followed during the reception.

Formal receptions will have the bride's entourage and family assigned to
particular spots or seats in the reception.

The following will set a guidance when arranging or assigning seats or chairs
in formal wedding receptions.

The top table must be composed or be seated with the wedding party or entourage
only. However, several very important guests can be included in the top table if
the bride and the groom or their family wishes.

In those cases, the person should be seated on either side of the wedding party.

The bride and the groom's families are still separated to distinguish which
clan is that of the bride's and which one is the groom's.

Here's the proper arrangement on top tables on wedding receptions, in
accordance to appropriate and proper wedding etiquettes:

Arranged from left to right, facing the guests: maid of honor, groom's mom,
bride's dad, the bride, the groom, the bride's mom, the groom's dad, then the
best man.

Wedding etiquettes advise that the table should be occupied only by 12 people,
at most.

Other people should be then seated to other tables. Strictly limit the occupants
of the top table, if possible.

Also, remember that in assigning seating arrangements for receptions, the bride
should always stand or be seated to the left side of the groom. Again, this is
for symbolic purposes. Just adhere and follow traditions, won't you?

Emily Post Wedding Etiquette Book

The Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette book is a very comprehensive book on wedding
etiquette. The wedding situations depicted here are full of every situation in
which a expecting couple will need to do or just say the right thing.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book has every answer to every question b
couples regarding the proper wedding etiquette. Also, included in the Emily
post Wedding Etiquette book are very valuable advice on how a couple will set
up either a traditional or a non-traditional wedding ceremony.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book also includes the right and efficient way
to dress and depends on the level of formality of a couple's wedding, aside from
this, the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book teaches the couple how wedding
invitations will be written, etc.

The modern couples who originated from different kinds of backgrounds need the
Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book. The Emily post Wedding Etiquette book is
also needed by the brides and grooms that have entered their second marriages.
Aside from this, the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book is needed by children
from a divorce.

Finally, the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book is needed by anyone who needs to
make sure that will be able to get everything that are just right for their
wedding!

To give the reader a sneak peak, here are some of the possible topic or subject
that they could read about in a Emily post Wedding Etiquette book:

1. Expenses Handled by the Flower Girls in a Wedding

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will usually inform the reader that a
flower girl is usually picked as before the age of six years old.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will tell the reader that the families of
the flower girl or flower girls are expected to cover the expenses for their
flower girl dress, for their other attires, and also their travel expenses.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette books also tells us that the flower girls are
not usually expected to bring along a shower gift to bridal showers that they
may attend.

If the parents of the flower girl or flower girls do attend, the shower gift
expectations will be just the same as the other bridal shower guest. If the
flower girl or flower girls do attend more than one bridal shower or bridal
party, they are expected of bringing only one bridal shower gift.

The flower girls are really not responsible for helping out financially with
the bridal shower.

2. Expenses Handled by the Best Man

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will tell the reader that the best man
will usually handled the expenses for his own formal wear along with his
accessories. He will also handle the travel expenses, as well as one shower
gift and one wedding gift.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will also share in the cost of the
bachelor party.

3. Expenses Handled by the Groomsmen or the Ushers

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will usually note that the groomsmen aged
sixteen years and below are not expected to help out with the cost of the
wedding.

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will tell the reader that the groomsmen
or ushers will shoulder the expense of their own formal wear as well as their
own accessories. The covered expense will also include travel expenses, one
shower gift and one wedding gift.

Aside from this, the Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will teach the reader
that the groomsmen or ushers will share with the cost of the bachelor party
with the best man.

4. Expenses handled by the Ring Bearer and the Trainbearer

The Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book will also teach the reader that the kids
under the age of six are okay to be the ring bearer or trainbearer.

The families of the ring bearer and train bearer, however, are expected to
shoulder the attires, and the travel expenses of the ring bearer and the train
bearer.

The ring bearer and and train bearer is not really expected to bring along any
gift to any kind of pre-wedding parties that they may like to attend.

If the parents of the ring bearer or train bearer do attend, the expectations
for the gifts will still be the same as with any other guest. If the ring
bearer or train bearer do attend more than just one party, only a single shower
gift is expected.

Wedding Etiquette: Destinations

You might have heard of a couple wearing an alien suit for a wedding dress or a
couple who get wed in a pink cadillac in Las Vegas wedding strip. Although it
sound like fun, many still don't get the wishes of couples to celebrate their
wedding this way.

If you want to have an exciting wedding, you can get wed in an extraordinary
way without looking like a psycho for getting married in an alien suit.
Destination Wedding is gaining popularity these days because it satisfies the
wants of adventurous couples without being a clown.

Destination Wedding is for couples who want to get wed on the sandy beach of
Fiji Islands or at the romantic canals of Italy or at the Eiffel Tower.

Wedding guests for Destination Wedding usually are the closest families and
friends of the bride and groom. Of course, only those who love you the most
will take the time, energy and money just to get to attend your wedding day.

But do you know that there is a list of Destination Wedding etiquette to
follow? Destination Wedding Etiquette is just an enhancement of wedding
etiquette that we have come to know.

-- Basic Destination Wedding Etiquette

* The very first Destination Wedding Etiquette that you should know is that you
should tell your guest in advance, at least six months, of the when and the
where of your Destination Wedding.

This Destination Wedding Etiquette is important because it will give your
guests an ample time to decide whether or not they should attend your wedding.
Your guests also needs to check-in in a hotel and fly just to get to your
Destination Wedding.

You may ask, should you pay for the travel expenses and hotel accommodation of
your guests? Destination Wedding Etiquette tells that you should not. You are
not responsible for their tickets and hotel fees. You would go broke if you do.
Your guests know this fact and they should not ask you about it in the first
place.

If any of them ask you the awkward question of, "Would you I pay for the
tickets and hotel fees?" You could answer this way so as not to hurt his or her
feelings: "Oh, I would love to treat you for a vacation but our budget is so
limited that I could only accommodate your dinner after my wedding." You have
better lines than this. Use it using your friendly voice.

* The second most important Destination Wedding Etiquette is to provide your
guests with information about the place. You should also scout for the cheapest
hotels in the area where they could stay.

You can create a Destination Wedding Information, a brochure type info kit,
that contains the basic information about the town of your wedding venue and
the scenic places that your guests can go before and after the wedding.
Remember that Destination Wedding is like a honeymoon wedding? Think of the
best honeymoon places and vacation spots in the area so that couples and
singles alike will enjoy the place.

Also, create a map of the area so that your guests would know how to navigate
the area.

Other Destination Wedding Etiquette

- Destination Wedding Etiquette allows bride to wear any wedding dress that
they would like to wear. Of course, if you are a fashionable bride, you would
like to wear a simple yet elegant wedding dress even without looking at
Destination Wedding Etiquette books. For chic and fashionable brides the fabric
and design of the bride's wedding dress must conform to the location.

For example, if you are getting married at the sandy beaches of the Fiji
Islands, you should wear chiffon and even semi-translucent wedding gown in
white or other colors like aquamarine. This kind of wedding dress will look
very sexy on the beach.

- Bring insect repellant lotions, sunblock and face hydro spritzer like Evian
to make your guest feel comfortable in your wedding reception and ceremony
which would be held in an unroofed venue.

This is not necessarily one of the rules of Destination Wedding Etiquette. This
is just your way of saying thanks to your beloved family and friends who took
the time and have spent fortune just to witness you getting tied with your one
true love.

Getting hitched, Victorian Style

Wedding ceremonies are different depending on the preferences and fortunes of
those involved. There are no specific directions to follow. However, those that
will be married by ministers should first study the form of weddings their
church follows.

The Episcopalians have their "Book of Common Prayer", the Methodists have their
"Book of Discipline" and the Catholics have certain rituals. The wedding
rehearsal is normally made in private but it is required if the couples will be
wed by a magistrate. The most number of ceremonies occur in Catholic and
Episcopal weddings but these are normally the most impressive.

The Victorian Wedding

ATTIRE: Victorian weddings are filled with ruffles, bows and lace. Guests
should consider wearing an antique dress a lace cap or headpiece, which can be
purchased from the ladies at Greystone Gardens. For a morning wedding, the men
should wear a morning dress and a tailcoat for an evening wedding. A top hat is
also a nice option.

MENU: A formal Victorian wedding should follow the guidelines for a traditional
formal wedding. For an informal wedding, the ideal setting is the Sunday tea
dance with scones, petit fours filled with fresh fruit. The movie The Age of
Innocence should be watched for inspiration.

INVITATIONS: The invitation of a formal Victorian wedding should have an
attractive embossed border on the edge. The text should be formal or if
possible should be engraved. Invitations can also carry the couple's favorite
Victorian love poem.

FAVORS: A cracker popular during holiday time is good option for a Victorian
wedding. These things were invented during the Victorian era and snap when
opened. These can be filled with a trinket based on personality and budget. A
folding fan printed with a nice poem and wedding date can be used in a daytime
wedding.

FLOWERS: The flowers play a very important role in a Victorian wedding. A tussy
mussy is a good option. The flower girls can carry pomanders.

PROPER ETTIQUETTE IN A VICTORIAN WEDDING

Weddings regardless if its Victorian or not follow a certain etiquette in order
to make the ceremony flow seamlessly.

- Bridesmaids and groomsmen should perform certain responsibilities in the
ceremony if the wedding is not strictly private.

- The bride should be older than her bridesmaids and their outfits should
match. However, the wedding gown should obviously look more expensive but the
dresses of the bridesmaids can have more ornaments. The dresses should be
composed of graceful, light material. The flowers should serve as the principal
decoration.

- The wedding gown should exude simplicity but can be worn with few ornaments
or jewelry, which come from the parents or bridegroom. The garland and veil
should be the most eye-catching in the dress.

- The bridesmaids should assist the bride in wearing her wedding gown and
receiving guests. They should also stand at her left side during the ceremony.
The bouquet and gloves should be held by the first bridesmaid.

- The placing of the bridesmaids should not be much of a concern but those
conscious with symmetry should consider putting the tallest to the smallest
from the couple. However, any order should be suffice. A bridesmaid can be
paired with a groomsman who has the same height.

- The groomsmen are primarily designated to receive the clergyman, lead him to
the couple that will be married and stand in the right side of the bridegroom
during the ceremony.

CEREMONY IN CHURCH

The etiquette in a Victorian church wedding sees the bride entering from the
left side with her father followed by the bridesmaids or more common, as single
bridesmaid. The groom enters from the right and is trailed by his attendants.
Behind are the parents, while the attendants stand from either side.

The bride should make sure that her glove can be easily removed, while the
groom should be certain that ring is placed where he can easily find it to
avoid being embarrassed or delaying the ceremony.

ETTIQUETTE IN EXITING THE CHURCH

The newly-married couple holds each others arm when they depart from the
church. A reception can be held at home for around two hours attended by
intimate friends. A short breakfast can be held before the couple can embark on
their bridal tour.

Wedding Etiquette on Victorian Weddings

Thanks to educated Victorians with their lustrous names, intelligence and
writing abilities, they have passed on to us what a mannered person should do
in all social situations. In the 1870's to 1880's there were at more than sixty
(60) etiquette books that were published of which includes Victorian wedding
etiquette. These Victorian wedding etiquettes became popular before and are
still popular in these days.

Victorian wedding etiquette focuses on manners, culture and dress before,
during and after the wedding ceremony and reception. Victorians also have
etiquette rules on courtship and engagement.

-- Victorian Wedding Etiquette on Marriage Ceremony

For Victorians, the marriage ceremony varies with the fortunes, desires and
wishes of the wedding parties. According to Victorian Wedding Etiquette, a
bride and couple may have a very lavish and expensive wedding if they can
afford it or they can have a small gathering of closest family and friends
celebrating the wedding with them.

As to the form of right, Victorians have no specific directions as to how the
wedding rite should be done, but they should follow rules of their churches of
the proper wedding rite.

Victorians who are to be married by their ministers, wedding etiquette calls
them to study the form or proper wedding rite of their particular church. For
Victorians who will be married in a Methodist church should study Book of
Discipline. Episcopalian Victorians, on the other hand should read the Book of
Common Prayer. Catholic Victorians are invoked to know the basic Ritual in a
Catholic Wedding Celebration.

In Victorian wedding etiquette, couples must do wedding rehearsals. The
rehearsal of the ceremony is always made in private. Victorians believe that
with this way, the bride and groom and the wedding parties could understand
better the necessary forms and rites.

-- Victorian Wedding Etiquette General Rules

Victorians have general rules in wedding etiquette. They are interesting to
learn and to note especially if you are planning to have a Victorina wedding
theme.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen are expected to assist in the preparation of the
wedding and even during the wedding especially if the wedding is not private.
Wealthy Victorians held weddings for public and with many guests that were
expected to attend (even from nearby towns), the hired help won't be able to
accommodate the guests.

Although this seems funny nowadays, but Victorian wedding etiquette is clear on
this matter: bridesmaids should be younger, yes you read it right, younger than
the bride. If you have an older sister who you love you dearly, you won't be
able to make her a bridesmaid if you were born during the time of the
Victorians.

Victorian wedding etiquette on bridesmaids clothing is also peculiar.
Bridesmaids should wear dresses that look like that of the bride. It was
believed before (even before the time of the Victorians) that a devil is on the
loose everytime there is a wedding. This devil is tasked to kidnap the bride,
take her away from her groom, and take her virginity from her. So, bridesmaids
are selected, those that look like the bride, younger or of her age, and must
dress the way she dresses so as to confuse the devil who should be taken.

The material for bridesmaids wedding dresses are usually light and flowing
fabric that allows graceful gait, and must have lots of ornament. Dresses
should not be necessarily expensive.

The bridesmaids should assist the bride (thus the name brides' MAID) in
dressing her, receiving company, holding her things, etc. They should stand at
the brides left side, with the first bridesmaid or the maid of honor holding
the gloves and bouquet.

As for the groomsmen, he should receive the clergyman and present to him the
couple to be married. The first groomsman or the best man should stand upon the
right side of the groom during the ceremony.

Victorian wedding etiquette has not been changed much. They are still the basic
wedding etiquette that we have today. We can follow Victorian wedding
etiquette's general rule as is without looking or making ourselves outrageous.
Some of victorian wedding etiquette are just bent a bit, such as a wedding
dress, to accommodate the wishes and desires of the bride or the groom or of a
relative special to the hearts of the couple.

Wedding Plans, Wedding Etiquette and Wedding Shows in Colorado

If you have wedding plans, why not take the time to study wedding etiquette and
attend wedding shows in Colorado. With wedding etiquette lessons you will learn
what to and what not to do so that you won't hear anything from your guests
that might discomfort you.

You don't need to follow all wedding etiquette rules; all you need to do is
learn the basics and you can bend the rules accordingly. Of course, you will
only bend wedding etiquette rules that won't make your mother and close friends
raise their eyebrows. You very well know how to bend rules with taste.

You won't wear a black wedding dress just to bend a wedding etiquette rule for
the sake of bending it. Wear black wedding dress if you have a reason. But if
you can do with a white wedding dress, well, that would be better. Bend on some
other rules instead. Such as being informal in the wordings on your wedding
invitation.

On the other hand, attending wedding shows in Colorado will give you an idea on
what to expect from a country and garden weddings and who are the best suppliers
that you should hire when you plan to get wed in Colorado.

-- Why More and More Couples Want to Get Married in Colorado?

Many couples have been getting married in Colorado because of the cool weather,
beautiful gardens, and homey, old fashioned barn and big houses which are the
best wedding reception for a country themed wedding.

Colorado is situated in Southwestern America. It is known for its breathtaking
scenery-- snowcapped mountains and moist grasslands -- and world world famous
ski slopes that attract skiers and snowboard enthusiasts (that come from every
place of the planet) each year between the months of December and March.
Colorado's Rocky Mountain State is home to North America's best skiing
locations, such as: Vail, Steamboat Springs, Aspen and Breckenridge.

Boulder, Colorado boasts Aspen rich parks with green grasslands. Boulder,
Colorado is perfect for couples who plans to have a garden wedding.

In the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, a garden that looks like paradise is open
for public. The Alpine Garden is a botanical garden filled with colorful, high
elevation plants. The rugged mountains and pine trees are the perfect backdrop
for your wedding photos.

The Alpine Garden hosts private events such as weddings. Its Rock Garden
Terrace can accommodate up to fifty (50) guests, which is just perfect for a
simple wedding with only close family and friends as guests.

The kiss of the newly weds and the loving look that they give one another is
enough to warm the hearts of guests in the cool Colorado garden terrace.

-- Attend Wedding Shows in Colorado

On your wedding plans list, write that you will study Colorado wedding
etiquette and mark dates of wedding shows in Colorado. Wedding etiquette in
Colorado is not actually stiff; people celebrate festivities with country
inspired cuisine and lots of wine, as you will learn from wedding shows in
Colorado.

Colorado exudes freshness of blooming flowers, green grass, and cool weather.
This is the reason why lots of wedding shows are being held in Colorado.
Couples with wedding plans go to wedding shows in Colorado because of the
fabulous things they hear about the place as a good venue to celebrate weddings
and party on with country and garden wedding themes.

Wedding shows in Colorado features wedding etiquette books for couples with
wedding plans. Wedding etiquette books contain information about wedding
etiquette on invitation, wedding etiquette on who pays the wedding expenses,
wedding etiquette for step mother and fathers, wedding etiquette for second
family, wedding etiquette on what the bride should wear including her
bridesmaids and her guests' clothing, and wedding etiquette on the issue of
cash bar.

Emily Post was known for her wedding etiquette knowledge and she had a
spectacular book about wedding etiquette for couples with wedding plans.
Everything that a couple needs to know about socializing during the wedding has
been compiled in a single, thin book.

If you have wedding plans and want to catch the latest wedding shows in
Colorado, just go to the official website of the State of Colorado and they
have information about various events in the State of which include wedding
shows in Colorado.

  InfoBank Intro | Main Page | Usenet Forums | Search The RockSite/The Web